Maritime Industry Urged to Recognise and Address the Silent Weight of GRIEF AT SEA

Traditionally, grief is seen as a response to death, short-lived, with a clear beginning and end. In reality, grief is broader, more complex, and deeply pervasive, particularly for seafarers working far from home. From missing life milestones to receiving devastating news thousands of miles from loved ones, grief at sea is compounded by distance, duty, and isolation.

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“Grief is one of the least acknowledged contributors to mental health challenges in the maritime workforce,” said Gisa Paredes, Psychologist, Managing Director, WellAtSea, member of OneCare Group. “It doesn't just affect emotions, it can manifest as fatigue, frustration, withdrawal, or even conflicts onboard. Too often, it is misinterpreted as poor morale or poor performance, when it is, in fact, pain.”