SAFER seas: Protecting seafarers and their families

While seafarers are the backbone of global trade, the pressures they face – both on board and at home – are often overlooked. Life at sea demands resilience, sacrifice and long periods away from home, often under challenging and uncertain conditions.

In this episode of Fortune Favours the Brave, our host Captain Hari Subramaniam, Chief Commercial Officer for Marine, Cargo & Logistics at Howden, is joined by industry experts Captain Karen Davis and Nina Edy. Together, they explore the critical link between seafarer wellbeing, operational safety and the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.

From mental health and isolation to financial insecurity and evolving geopolitical risks, the panel discusses how these factors can affect wellbeing, decision-making and performance at sea. They also discuss why supporting seafarers on leave as well as families ashore is just as important as supporting seafarers on board, with Howden's SAFER at Home offering providing reassurance and security during periods when seafarers may otherwise be left vulnerable.

Ultimately, this is a conversation about prioritising the humans at the heart of shipping. We explore what more the industry can do to support the seafarers and families who keep global trade afloat. If you're interested in seafarer wellbeing, marine insurance or the future of shipping, please visit our website or speak to Captain Hari.

Transcript

Seafarer Wellbeing

SPEAKER_02 0:04

Welcome to Howden's podcast, Fortune Favours the Brave. We all take risks in our everyday life, and business is no different. In this podcast, we're speaking to the experts about a topical challenge or issue and what business leaders can do to overcome it.

SPEAKER_03 0:19

Welcome to this episode of Fortune Favours the Brave. My name is Captain Hari Subramaniam, Chief Commercial Officer of Howland Marine and proud global ambassador of the mission to seafarers. I'll be your host for today, and we shall be discussing issues pertaining to the well-being of seafarers and how we, as industry leaders, can collectively identify and address these shortcomings to improve the lives of our seafarers and their families. You might wonder why we are having this discussion on an insurance podcast. Traditionally, Marine Insurance Broking has been largely about providing the most competitive insurance package for shipping companies. That helps ship owners and operators keep their operating costs minimum where insurance is concerned. However, while that's great for a balance sheet, how does that directly benefit the most important assets that make our shipping world tick? Our seafarers. It's a wake-up call that each and every stakeholder in the maritime industry needs to step up and protect our seafarers and their families, of course, and the insurance industry is no exception. At Howden, the culture set by Mr. David Howden is that people come first, whether it's staff of the company or any external stakeholders. And it's no different at Howden Marine Cargo and Logistics, spearheaded by Danny Whiteside and supported by a team of over 500 specialists worldwide. The well-being of seafarers is an extremely important area of focus, and no stone is being left unturned in terms of efforts towards adding value to where it matters the most for our industry, to our seafarers. The life of a seafarer is certainly not straightforward. When compared to any other profession, it requires unquestioned and unwavering commitment. It requires constant sacrifice, very often without recognition. Furthermore, in this constantly evolving geopolitical scenario that we are currently experiencing, it has demanded even more from our seafarers and their families. Today we have with us some of our most influential and dedicated change makers in the shipping industry who have taken valuable time off from their busy schedules to discuss most of the not so evident factors that we as an industry could collectively bring about to walk the talk. Our esteemed panel consists of Captain Karen Davis, another fellow master mariner, managing director of oil companies International Marine Forum, who many of us know as Okinf, and of course a global ambassador of the Mission to Seafarers. We also have with us Nina Eri of the Mission to Seafarers. The Mission to Seafarers is a charity dedicated to serving seafarers, about 1.8 billion of them and their families. The mission is open day and night, 365 days a year, working in 200 ports across 50 countries, caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities, and beliefs. Thank you so much for joining us today, and we're really looking forward to this conversation, this meaningful conversation with industry experts such as yourselves.

Karen Davis On Life At Sea

SPEAKER_03 3:42

Without wasting any more time on introductions, I would like to then turn to Karen. Karen, please tell us a bit more about your journey as a seafarer and how this has deeply motivated you to dedicate so much of your time and efforts towards helping seafarers.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

Thanks, Captain Harry. It's a pleasure to be here today. So thank you for inviting me. My sea time has been over 15 years. I sailed from cadet to master mariner, as you know. Interestingly, maybe not everyone knows this. When I graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy, I sailed as an able-bodied person on my first uh sea uh experience. So not only have I sailed as officer, but I also sailed as part of the crew. Fantastic. Which gave me a fantastic experience and really some empathy towards the crew on board vessels. When I ended my seagoing career, I came ashore to help operate the vessels on which I'd sailed. And then I moved on to marine assurance and uh did the marine assurance for Conical Phillips, my parent company, uh, that was a global marine assurance. So we supported all the business units in making sure that the vessels that we hired and chartered were suitable for use. I moved on to Qatar Gas, where I engaged in the expansion project and worked on the tender for those that would operate the vessels, and then ended up at Autampf as a managing director for the last four and a half years. I give you all that background because I can tell you, as a mariner, once you're a seafarer, you're always a seafarer. Indeed. So we never forget. I also give you that background because you can see in each position and each role I spent time in, I always kept the seafarer at the heart of the conversations. Whether it was operating the vessels, we thought about them. In marine assurance, the vetting and the marine assurance policies always focused on were our systems helping the mariners instead of hindering the mariners. And at Auckham, as you know, I spent quite a bit of time working on human factors and considering the people on board the vessels that will use our best practices to make sure that they're really effective for them. So lately we know that safe operations depend on people who can think clearly, make good decisions, communicate openly without worrying about what they say or that they might bring up difficult conversations. All that will help them to work better together on board the ship. Seafarer well-being is not a side issue. It should not be a side issue for anyone, and it's central to safe and responsible operations. As mentioned, a seafarer myself, I sailed cadet to Master Mariner and understand the concerns that seafarers have, not only for their safety and welfare aboard the vessel, but how worrying about family or family matters and those challenges can really be distracting. These days, mariners face a dynamic set of practical, human, and operational pressures that go well beyond the routine seafarer challenges. And sometimes these days, crews are navigating in areas where the threat environment can change quickly, sometimes without notice or limited notice. This idea of sustained uncertainty requires constant vigilance and adaptation, and stress levels are elevated, sometimes for an extended period of time. So seafarers must perform at sea while keeping their families and their well-being and care always at mind. They must be aware of potential threats and concerns for personal safety. And over time, this combination can really affect their concentration and their decision making and their overall well-being, which is what we're here to talk about today.

SPEAKER_03 7:54

Thank you. Thank you, Karen. Yes, of course. I think you've uh you've really touched upon a few key factors which would actually form the basis of how this discussion pans out. And yes, um, there are a lot of problems that everyone's aware of, which people are working around tackling. But then again, there are a lot of um things that skim below the surface, and I think that's what you've actually uh very aptly touched upon. If I can now turn to uh Nina Eddy. Nina has been so good with the mission to seafarers. She she takes such good care of us global ambassadors as well. Uh Nina, but um I think uh without taking anything away from all your work, the mission to seafarers really with a global presence is doing a fantastic job. And I think it won't be justice for me to try and summarize this in just one or two sentences. It'll be great if you could share with our listeners on the extent and the projects that the mission to seafarers does for seafarers and their families.

Mission To Seafarers Support Explained

SPEAKER_01 8:46

Yes, of course. Thank you so much for having me on today. So, as you know, the mission to seafarers is an international maritime welfare charity with operations, as you said, in over 50 countries and 200 ports around the world. But really, our work is made possible by our global network of chaplains, staff, volunteers who provide practical and emotional and spiritual support to seafarers that they encounter. As you know, also that our work takes many forms. The primary service that we offer is ship visiting. So our chaplains and teams go on board, they have conversations with seafarers to see, you know, what they might need, any kind of support that they might need. Sometimes seafarers just want to have a chat, update you about what their day's been, you know, what they're looking forward to, that kind of stuff. Sometimes they may need sort of provisions, which our teams are able to provide as well. But we also find that they need that emotional support. Obviously, being far away from home and being far away from their families and you know what they're familiar with isn't very easy. And also that spiritual support as well, which our teams provide as and when needed. But our work doesn't just stop with seafarers themselves. We also recognize the vital role that the families at home play in their well-being while they're on ship. So through our family support network, particularly based in major seafarer ascending nations like the Philippines and India, our teams provide ongoing family support to those who may be facing financial hardship, experience challenges, just being away from their loved ones, or indeed those who find themselves in uncertain situations and need that additional support. As well as this, we also have an array of other initiatives for seafarers and their families, one of which is our weekare program, which focuses on mental health and well-being and offers an array of resources and training for seafarers and their loved ones when they need it.

SPEAKER_03 10:39

It's really amazing. I have witnessed this when I've been with a team in the Philippines also, and it's fantastic. Kudos to the work you're undertaking, and I hope this really goes, amplifies uh to a different level. And we with our support collectively as an industry, I think we should be able to take it to the next level. Thank you,

Wellbeing As A Safety Multiplier

SPEAKER_03 10:58

Nina. If I haven't spoken enough about myself, if I can just quickly share a bit about my seafaring background. Again, another fellow seafarer with 17 years of experience aboard vessels and another 20 years of experience in the marine insurance sector, all of 37 years tacked up towards appreciating the situation. I have invested a lot of time in the industry, undertaking non-profit work towards improving the quality of shipping. Whether it is imparting knowledge, mentoring upcoming talent, irrespective of from a shore-based or seagoing discipline, working closely with regional governments and also with industry associations such as the Nautical Institute, VISTA, that is the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association, the Company of Master Mariners of India, as well as an honorary advisory role with Strive High, a company dedicated to seafarer well-being. Of course, the Crown Jewel are undoubtedly the global ambassadorship with the mission to seafarers and my role with Howden, which indeed is unique because I get a chance to grace the life of seafarers. It's amazing. Now, coming back to Karen a little bit more on what you touched upon. We've seen so many factors being discussed: loneliness, quality of life, financial security. Would improving seafarer well-being go some way towards improving the safety culture and the safety mindset on board? I know through TMSA y'all have addressed these, etc. But if you could share a little bit more to our listeners coming from you, I think it would be it would be fantastic. For the benefit of our listeners, TMSA is the tanker management and self-assessment system. It is a tool that enables ship owners and management companies to improve and gauge their own safety management systems by benchmarking against defined KPIs.

SPEAKER_00 12:55

Sure. First of all, let me just say I do believe that well-being and feeling that sense of well-being and clarity does provide a safer atmosphere. We know that when people are distracted, tired, lonely, that sometimes they're not thinking as clearly as they could. And we for safety reasons, for quality of life, uh, we want the best for the people on board the ships. Not only that, but we also want to attract new people to go to sea. So we really need to create atmospheres on board where people want to be on board, right? You've talked about seafarers having a lot of challenges, the truly dedicated in situations that are sometimes challenging and not really recognized. I think for me right now, I want to recognize that that does happen. So if we can improve their well-being or maintain well-being for them, I think it will help in many ways, including the safety on board the vessel. You talked about TMSA. TMSA has been a product that's been around for a long time, and now we have to define it. These are management self-assessments. It's a tool that ALKIMP developed many years ago that allows a vessel operator to self-assess themselves. And then it allows others to go in and verify that what they have said about their management system. So they're assessing their management system. What they say about how they work and what is included in their safety management system is verified and validated that what they say they do, they actually do. There are elements of the MSAs that include personal welfare. So it's not only well-being of the people ashore, but also the people on board the vessels. And that is Ockham's way of assuring that each company is paying particular attention to the people that work for them. And so these management self-assessments are uh they provide KPIs with which the company can self-assess their programs and their procedures. And they are um they build upon each other from levels one to four. Because those KPIs are very clear, or they're they explicitly say what Aukemp would see as a best practice, it allows the entire industry to measure themselves against others, right? Because I do believe that if we can force multiply this effect, the more people that we get believing in committing to these processes, procedures, the way of treating our people, it benefits the industry as a whole, not just particular companies.

SPEAKER_03 15:52

I mean, uh, I've kept hearing with the mission to seafarers the power of partnerships. Yes. And it's great, I mean, if everybody it has come down to a fact that people have to quantify it. I mean, earlier, like you said, it shouldn't be, it should be the norm of having it. But I'm glad because uh nowadays I think um it's important for ship owners, operators. There are a lot of people in the boardrooms who are not mariners, and um they may not uh appreciate the commercial value that this could add because safe ships, shape operations, all coming from the the mindset of the seafarers, being in a safe place, um how fantastic that would be. But I think um I was a chief officer when TMSA came into force and it was great. I mean, uh it did seem to be a tedious task at that time, but changing mindsets is not easy. And once we manage to do that, definitely, I mean, with with the help of Okimf as well and people like you in the background who are actually putting meaningful work into it, I think it's become a norm now. It's just become business as usual.

SPEAKER_00 16:52

And now we've got the tanker management self-assessment, the offshore vessel management assessment, uh terminals, and even STS provider management assessments. And I think over over the time I've had an industry, which is nearly 40 years now, we can see that many of the elements of TMSA, OVMSA, MTMSA, those apply to regular work. So if you take out the element of the operation at hand, basically it's really the right way to treat people and to look at your operations in your safety management system. So it applies in many places.

SPEAKER_03 17:32

And paving the way, it's now going to the dry bulk industry as well. The dry BMS is also being um uh gaining ground now, and I think it's mirrored largely about how uh OCIMF has the TMSA in the assessment of operators to benchmark. And um, I've spoken to some people who are part of the management there, and they're also um kept seafarer well-being as a huge focus. So it's it's good. I mean, trend setting, if you may allow me to say so.

SPEAKER_00 17:57

Yeah, we support them very much and we wish them all the luck. It does take take time for some uptake, and as you said, it can seem tedious, but the devil's in the details. So when people are from the company are really looking at their processes and procedures, they understand them as well as they expect the people at sea to understand them. And it's really focusing in on is what we have set you up as a process or procedure working effectively on board the vessel. And when those systems work correctly, the sh the people on board the vessel have some input back to the office to those who set those processes and procedures. So it is an improvement cycle.

SPEAKER_03 18:38

Aaron Ross Powell Excellent. Just of today's discussion, if I may ask whether personal insurance for seafarers, such as accident protection, et cetera, does that also hold a place? Do you think that would that would contribute as well towards giving them that security at home?

SPEAKER_00 18:53

Yeah, I I think it does have some potential there for sure. We're very careful not to be prescriptive in the TMSA. So we in those conversations that you have about those management systems and what the company provides to their people, it's certainly part of the conversation. I will say that what works for people, and the people we're talking about are seafarers here. What works is when they have something that's consistent, right? So consistency and understanding that really helps your well that well-being and welfare piece of that. So we look for process, procedures, benefits that they provide for those shoreside and at sea holistically to see if they are really looking towards the best that they can for their people.

SPEAKER_03 19:44

Thank you. Thank you, Karen. Yes, um, I think that's really very helpful uh for our listeners.

Family Support And Financial Resilience

SPEAKER_03 19:49

If I can come now to Nina. Nina, again, um back to the fantastic work the mission is doing. The family support group is great. I mean, um you've briefly touched on it. Um if you could share a bit more in detail, of course. But you'll also talk about financial security. I understand that that's something that's a key factor, because um, while um many people used to believe that seafarers are paid well to see the world, etc., that seems like a myth. That was one of the reasons when I went out to sea. But things have changed, the landscapes changed. People fail to realize that the seafarer may not be paid throughout the year, depending on whose employers are. And if you average that out throughout the year, it's really not something that's worth shouting from the rooftops. And they've got families to feed, it's not getting any cheaper with all these political uh developments. It is getting more expensive. Even I think what I paid right on the tube coming in was not what I paid um a few weeks ago on the lighter set. But would you like to share a bit more on how um this is helping and the feedback you'll have got from seafarers, how this is uh improving their lives?

SPEAKER_01 20:51

Our family support network was established 10 years ago, having recognized that supporting seafarers also means supporting the families behind them, those that keep them going. Since then, it has grown significantly and now supports over 4,000 seafarers and their family members across communities in the Philippines and India. The program is built around local communities, empowering volunteers to lead and coordinate activities that help build resilience and encourage connection. This includes skills development and well-being initiatives such as we care financial well-being training, which helps seafarers and their families build confidence in managing money through practical tools like budgeting, saving, and managing risk. And I was lucky enough to have gone to the Philippines at the beginning of last year, and just being able to witness those training in action was really life changing for me in some capacity because you can really see how beneficial it is and how how much families look forward to having something like that and really engage in it and want to make the most out of it. So that's what I was doing.

SPEAKER_03 21:50

Like Karen said, consistent. We should know as seafarers, it's always there for us, and it's not something that's given like a like an additional tool for a temporary time and taken away once. Is there it's a new norm, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_01 22:02

Yes, exactly. I think having the family support network, because in each in each sort of community, in each chapter, you have leaders and that kind of stuff, so they know who to sort of lean on if they need to retrain on those on those skills or really get somebody to support them with their budgeting or saving or anything like that. So it really is a consistency, I think, that sort of helps them and their and their families to keep going or to uh understand that there is support uh available for them.

SPEAKER_03 22:27

And and there are also questions around insurance because I know I have attended that, and um I think that would, like Karen also said, that there is uh mettle in actually providing that for seafarers.

SPEAKER_01 22:40

Yes, we think sort of employee benefits like insurance can play a really important role for seafarers, and having that right protection in place means that even when they're not on board, they know that they have a certain cushion to support them, uh, which is helpful and gives them the peace of mind that their families are are supported if something unexpected were to happen were to happen. And so, yes, it definitely insurance definitely provides a safety net and reduces that financial anxiety that they could have if something were to happen or while they're on board or when they're not they're not um working. And ultimately, I think contributes towards their overall well-being. Uh, and that's really important when you're on board. You want to feel okay within yourself, you want a clear mind to be able to do your job and do it well. And having that means that both the seafarer and their loved ones at home feel safe and and and protected.

SPEAKER_03 23:30

It's fantastic how this has evolved. Uh, remember, Karen, when we used to sail the mission to seafarers, we used to think of the flying angels, the boats that used to take us out uh on shore leave and take us to the uh to the to the seamen center. And look at how it's evolved. No, it's it's amazing. It's fantastic to see how this is going, especially when the seafarers need it in this time where everything is quite uncertain. And I think um if they have this certainty from the industry, I think it can go a

SAFER at Home Insurance Programme

SPEAKER_03 23:57

long way. Just to summarize about uh what Howden is doing. With the well-being of seafarers and their families being an extremely important area of focus for Howden Marine, we have launched the Safer at Home Program in partnership with Cruzhua and supporting the mission to seafarers. Now, Safer is an acronym for seafarers and families enhanced resilience. It incorporates insurance packages that shipping companies and organizations can provide for seafarers and their families, crucially providing cover when they are on leave. It's important to note that the seafarers are covered by the protection and indemnity insurance, the PI insurance, like they call it, when they are on board, for pretty much the larger part of the year and the few months they're on ashore. Um they often left vulnerable without cover uh because of uh sometimes it's not affordable in many cases. I mean, me as a seafarer, I should think the few months at home I can wing it. I will be alright. Uh, and and now when I roll back the years and I think if I was in that position now, what would I have done with all this realization that that we've seen over the years that when things go wrong, they happen when you know you least expect it. So um uh what we're planning to provide is a specialist insurance offering. Uh, and that's where Safer at Home comes in, providing security and peace of mind. We are also uh returning some of our earnings to the insurers so that the premiums can be discounted further and kept at most affordable rates. I think that's important. And for each policy that's sold, we are making a charitable contribution to the mission to seafarers to ensure that they can continue their fantastic work helping seafarers and their families globally. I know you all are extremely busy in your lives and thank you for your

Final Thoughts And What Happens Next

SPEAKER_03 25:44

time. But if I could just come to the conclusion, final thoughts, Karen, and a few words of wisdom for our listeners on how they can actually take this message forward and walk the talk.

SPEAKER_00 25:55

Sure. So thank you, Captain Harry, for inviting me. It's been a pleasure. I also want to tell Nina I'm really honored to be part of the Mission to Seafares uh Board of Trustees, as well as a global ambassador. I'm really proud to see that the work that the Mission to Seafares does. And I'm also happy that you reached out to me, Captain Harry, when we lost the case. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 26:16

You were a clear favorite. I mean, I had to have you on this uh talk.

SPEAKER_00 26:20

I'd like to say from my perspective, there's so many variables for the Mariners. And some companies already do this right. Companies that have uh their seafarers as part of their company full-time hire, it's quite different for them. They might already have this as their uh as one of their perks. I think we need to think about it more globally. There's such a difference in uh contracts and what the seafarer can expect. So we've already touched on consistency, best practice. So I do believe thinking more about the mariner and what we can do for them to give them more peace of mind when they are away, as well as peace of mind for when they know they might be without work. I have found it really uh a great idea. And so I'd like to hear about it more once you get this launched and you've got some uptake. Uh, in the end, I just want to thank you again for having me.

SPEAKER_03 27:17

Oh, thank you, Karen. And I hope that the voices that would speak about this would be from the seafarers and their families once they've benefited from it. I mean, we could do this all day, but it has to need to come from the seafarers that they appreciate it. And I I have my hand on my heart and I say it should, with the support uh of uh of the industry um and just wanting to do the right thing. Uh Nina, concluding thoughts from you?

SPEAKER_01 27:39

I think from from me, I'm I'm really grateful to have had this platform to sort of shine the light on the work that we do at the Mission to Seafarers. Truly, it's a privilege to work with the Mission to Seafarers and just be able to see what we're able to do to support those who work so hard to give us what we use on a day-to-day basis. So, yeah, thank you so much for having me on. In terms of final thoughts, ultimately for me, we know as an industry that seafarers perform their best when they know that their family, the families they've left behind, are safe and are supported and financially secure. And for most seafarers, they go away to sea because they want to be able to support their families financially. Welfare support, family support, financial education, and insurance may be separate areas, but I think they're all very closely connected. And I think as an industry, the more we can do to support the whole family unit and not just the seafarer, but the those who sort of keep them, keep them going on a day-to-day basis, the stronger, more resilient and sustainable our maritime workforce will be.

SPEAKER_03 28:44

Thank you, Nina. And just to conclude, I have to shout out to our seafarers. I mean, um, they've always um consistently delivered and kept us very proud, kept us alive during COVID when everything else was at a standstill. Our seafarers were out there, making sure that we were all safely uh locked up at home um away from the virus when putting their lives on the line. Um I'm I'm not sure how many people appreciate that, but starting from there, I think people realized what living behind um closed doors could mean. A seafarer that's life for them, looking out of windows, uh portholes, and for months together in the same environment. Many people actually started feeling the pressure in spite of having food delivery coming to their house, in spite of having um Netflix at home, etc. Uh, they now got a little bit of a glimpse into the seafarers' life. And um, I'm extremely proud to be part of the mission to seafarers, the global ambassadors group. It gives me a chance to make my life meaningful in doing good uh to my roots. And of course, um I have to feel very grateful to Howden for giving me this opportunity, this role, for creating this niche in the industry uh to start something new because they realize the value of people and they also understand that seafarers are the people when it comes to shipping. So thank you, Karen. Thank you, Nina. It's been wonderful. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Fortune Favors the Brave. And um watch the space. We'll be back soon.

SPEAKER_02 30:14

Thank you for listening to this episode of Fortune Favours the Brave from Howden. To hear more episodes and subscribe to our channel, search Fortune Favors the Brave on your favorite podcast app.