by Dr Olivia Swift, Senior Programme Manager, Lloyd’s Register Foundation

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in early 2020, many seafarers found themselves stranded aboard their vessels as a significant crew change crisis unfolded globally.

Border closures, strict quarantine requirements, and a slow vaccination rollout all had an impact on seafarers' mental health.

We have known for some time now that seafarers' mental health is crucial to their wellbeing and safety.

But as the pandemic unfolded and with 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea at one point, stakeholders within the maritime industry, including companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), had to respond quickly by providing mental health and psychosocial interventions.

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