‘Attract, Retain, Support’: ISWAN India event focuses on wellbeing of seafarers and their families
The ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network) India Seminar 2025, held last week in Mumbai, brought together seafarers, cadets, ratings, families, industry leaders, government representatives, training institutes, and welfare organisations to explore practical ways to strengthen wellbeing and improve retention across the maritime sector.
Centred on the theme ‘Attract, Retain, Sustain: Supporting the Wellbeing of Seafarers and their Families’, the half-day seminar focused on key transition points in a seafarer’s career, from the first voyage to long-term retention. Through panel discussions, programme launches, and direct conversations with seafarers and families, the event highlighted the importance of structured induction, strong shore-based support, and meaningful family engagement in building a resilient and future-ready maritime workforce.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Guest Mr. Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, Government of India, reaffirmed that seafarers’ welfare remains a clear national priority. He briefly referenced the Memorandum of Understanding between the Directorate General of Shipping and ISWAN as a framework for collaboration, and highlighted key focus areas including mental health, safety, family welfare, training, and preparing seafarers and families for life at sea.
Representing the Platinum Sponsor, Fleet Management Limited, Capt. Randhir S. Mahadik offered a brief greeting, followed by a recorded message from Capt. Deepak Correa, Chief Operating Officer, Fleet Management. Capt. Correa underscored the industry’s responsibility to place people at its centre, highlighting Fleet Management’s focus on seafarer wellbeing through its Fleet Care initiatives. He concluded by reinforcing the importance of attracting, retaining, and sustaining seafarers through confidence, care, strong family support, and a robust shore bridge connecting vessels to home.
The seminar featured the launch of three important ISWAN initiatives, each designed to strengthen support across a seafarer’s journey, from first sail to family life and shore-side engagement: ISWAN’s ‘SEAS’ Induction Programme; ‘Together in Care: A Workshop for Shore Staff’; and ‘Sailing Together: A Family Handbook to Support Seafarers at Sea and Ashore’.
A dedicated rapid-fire session, ‘Charting the Course: Seafarers’ Voices’, placed seafarers and their families at the heart of the seminar. Through an open and interactive exchange, cadets, ratings, officers, and family members shared real experiences of life at sea and at home, highlighting the challenges, expectations, and emotional realities of the profession. These first-hand perspectives helped ground the day’s discussions and set a strong context for subsequent panels on induction, shore-side support, and seafarer wellbeing.