Increase of the crew’s well-being and reduction of stress

In 2017-2018 the International Marine Organization (IMO) puts in foreground the increase of well-being and mental health of the crew. The goal of the current scientific message is to represent the peculiarities and specifics of the marine profession, the stress factors and their negative effect on health, and the measures of prevention and dealing with stress. The members of the crew are exposed to a variety of predicaments that occur from the specifics of working in marine environment. The disturbing trends in the increasing number of the seafarers, who are affected by the negative aftermath of stress in the last few years, imposes the necessity of undertaking a number of real actions by employers. The lack of a doctor and psychologist on the ships imposes the necessity of performing a number of actions, which guarantee the health, and both the physical and mental safety of the seafarers. The prevention, preliminary training and courses need to be directed to maximal awareness and encouraging the use of the developed specialized programs for well-being, recognizance of the first mental changes in seafarers, the ways of help and self-help, forming and developing social and emotional intelligence. The investment in people’s well-being would surely provide a competitive advantage in the shipping company, and give a direct impact in both turnover, and career perspective of young people who have chosen one of the most difficult and dangerous, but significant occupations.