SEAFARERS on ships shunning the Red Sea are enjoying more downtime, according to the Mission to Seafarers.

The charity’s latest Seafarer Happiness Index increased to 7.16 in 3Q24, up slightly from 6.99 in 2Q24, driven in part by “the unexpected benefits of longer transit routes”.

Crews on ships still running the Houthi gauntlet continue to face unacceptable risks.

But the mission said: “For vessels diverting via other routes, it is allowing additional time for rest, social activities and establishing better onboard routines.

“This has positively impacted team morale and well-being.

“Additionally, the extended time at sea has enabled senior officers to take on a more supportive role, sharing watch duties and dedicating time to training junior crew members, fostering a greater sense of camaraderie and competence on board.” 

The quarterly report said food quality on ships was improving, but crews wanted more variety.

Crews were often too tired to use gyms and recreational facilities, highlighting “the need for more holistic solutions to improve work-life balance and rest”.

The mission said significant challenges remained around internet access, particularly in places where Starlink was restricted (these include Russia, China and parts of Africa).

“There were also suggestions that wi-fi access has been throttled back to, in effect, force interaction and encourage seafarers to spend less time in their cabins,” the mission said.

“This is a very unfortunate approach and it would be far better to focus on making recreation areas which are attractive and which seafarers want to spend time in.”

Limited shore leave and concerns about wages continue to weigh heavily on the minds of many seafarers, affecting their overall satisfaction and mental well-being.

There were calls for more practical, real-world training, since some programmes felt irrelevant. Stress over workloads, particularly due to watchkeeping and time zone changes, remained a critical issue.

The Mission to Seafarers programme director Ben Bailey said the rise in the index was encouraging, but significant challenges remained.

“The benefits of longer transit routes show that even small changes can have a positive impact, but there’s more to be done to ensure our crews feel supported, respected and rewarded for their vital work,” he said.

Thom Herbert, a crew welfare advocate at ship inspector Idwal, said: “The concerns raised about inadequate training for new environmental technologies are worrying trends that require industry-wide attention.”