Self-leadership remains an overlooked factor in maritime crew wellbeing, warns WellAtSea, member of OneCare Group

Self-leadership is a critical but often overlooked factor in seafarer wellbeing, according to WellAtSea, a member of OneCare Group.

Despite growing awareness of mental health and fatigue, how seafarers manage themselves in demanding environments is still not consistently embedded into training or operational practice.

Life at sea places unique pressure on crew, including long rotations, isolation and exposure to operational and environmental stress. How individuals respond to these conditions has a direct impact not only on their own experience but on day-to-day operations onboard.

“What happens in practice onboard often comes down to small decisions under pressure,” said Gisa Paredes, Managing Director of WellAtSea. “You can see it in how people behave, how they communicate and how they work together.”

Ms Paredes said that while investment in welfare initiatives and mental health support is growing, their effectiveness depends on whether individuals are able to recognise early signs of strain and act on them.

Unmanaged stress and fatigue remain a factor in human error at sea, with safety implications onboard. Those who are more self-aware are better able to maintain judgement and respond in critical situations.

However, this is still not widely embedded in maritime training or operational practice, and is often seen as something personal rather than a skill that can be developed and supported, reflecting a wider gap in how the industry approaches crew wellbeing, particularly as pressure on retention and mental health continues.

“Conditions onboard are largely outside of individual control,” added Ms Paredes. “What makes the difference is how people understand and manage their own responses in those conditions.”

Through its wellbeing programmes, WellAtSea continues to focus on building self-awareness and encouraging greater ownership of physical and mental wellbeing among seafarers.