Why Psychological Safety at Sea Is Still Ignored?
A Shocking Conversation That Says a Lot About Our Maritime Culture
During my holiday, I had a conversation with a retired manager. When I shared the very real challenges many crews face today — loneliness, bullying, constant crew changes, and a lack of psychological safety — he simply brushed it off:
“That doesn’t happen. Never did in my day.”
That moment stuck with me. Because of this kind of attitude?
It’s exactly why so many of these issues remain hidden, ignored, or downplayed. If people still turn a blind eye to what’s really happening at sea, how can we ever hope to change it?
It’s exactly why we’re still battling the same issues in the maritime world.
The Real Leadership and Culture Challenges Seafarers Face
Despite modern policies, many seafarers today are still experiencing:
Loneliness, long contracts, limited connection to home, and little chance to talk openly.
Bullying and harassment, often unreported, as they are too ashamed to speak up.
Psychological safety violations, from micromanagement to toxic onboard cultures.
Diversity and inclusion gaps exist, especially with rotating crews and clashing cultural norms.
Constantly shifting team dynamics, every crew change resets the social structure.
Even in companies with excellent shoreside policies, life on board can feel like a different world entirely. You just start to adjust… and then during the next crew change, half the team changes again.
These aren’t just “soft” issues. They affect safety, retention, and performance.
Why Young Seafarers Are Walking Away – And How We Can Turn It Around
We’re facing a growing shortage of skilled seafarers. Younger generations simply don't want to go to sea anymore, and if they do, they don't last very long, and can we blame them? (see also my last article on this: BLOG
They’re more aware, more open, and more likely to speak up. But when they do, they’re often met with disbelief or defensiveness, as I did when I spoke to this retired manager last week. It’s no wonder so many are walking away from a career at sea.
If we want a future-proof maritime workforce, we must:
Acknowledge the real problems, not dismiss them.
Invest in long-term change, not short-term fixes. Too often, companies rely on short-term fixes like webinars, tick-box e-learning, or a "Wellbeing Week", but without real leadership development and cultural change, these efforts are little more than window dressing. At WiseStella, we want to go deeper, helping maritime leaders build psychologically safe, inclusive teams with practical tools that create long-term, human-centred change. [https://www.wisestella.io/]
Go beyond e-learning tick-boxes and provide real cross-cultural communication training.
Embed empathetic leadership from the very top, not just within teams, but across organisations, crewing agencies, and maritime colleges.
Empathetic Leadership at Sea – A Sustainable Solution
At WiseStella, we help companies go beyond good intentions. Our approach supports culture change, psychological safety, and leadership development tailored to maritime realities.
Because let’s be honest, wellbeing training alone won’t fix a system that’s been neglected for decades. This isn’t just about training. It’s about truth-telling, empathy, and long-term leadership change.
The maritime world is unique. The problems are complex. But the solutions? They start with us.
How to Future-Proof Our Maritime Industry?
So here’s the question:
👉 What can we do today to help make the maritime industry safer, more inclusive, and future-ready for the next generation?
I don't have all the answers, but together we can make a difference.
Who am I
I’m Tineke Zoet, a conflict coach for the maritime industry. I help leaders navigate tough team dynamics, build trust, and create safer, more inclusive teams at sea and ashore.
Why not download my FREE guide to discover 5 Strategies to regain control, manage stress, and lead with confidence?
As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and empathetic leader, I’ve been there. This guide will show you how to turn your sensitivity into your greatest strength.
Download it here: [Overwhelmed as an Empathetic Leader?]
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