Fathom Q: What makes crew happy?

fathom-news’ Fleet Transformation: the event, asked experts in the maritime industry what they think makes crew happy. Here’s what they had to say:

Steven Jones, Seafarers Happiness Project, Mission to Seafarers says that it is about elements at both the individual level as well as collective crew. Crew need to feel respected and understood, recognised and supported, and require good management and leadership onboard. Furthermore, they want to feel recognised and appreciated by society for the work they do.

Dick Welsh, Director at the Isle of Man Ship Registry believes that feeling valued is fundamental. Seafarers cannot feel like its one trick. That they come onboard feeling valued but then lose this after time.

Monica Lundh, Senior Lecturer, Chalmers University thinks back to her career and says it was not fancy things that attracted her and kept her at the job but it was more the team. Learning a lot and having the leadership was key.

Didrick Svensdsen, Partner, Propel feels that trust is vital. It is something that happens inbetween relationships. Moving someone from A to B in their career using leadership skills with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm is essential. For a seafarer, having someone they trust to do this and help them move through the stages is crucial.