Results of BMA’s mental health survey
The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) recently released the results of the Seafarer Covid-19 Welfare Survey, which was conducted by deputy director and head of BMA’s investigations department Tom Jenkins.
Many seafarers took part to the survey, so that BMA and researchers at the University of Washington School of Public Health thanked the organisations that encouraged them to do so.
The survey aims to collect information from front-line seafarers, focusing on their mental health needs before and during the pandemic and to understand their daily challenges, in order to develop effective solutions.
Today, the vast majority of seafarers, 87%, are still to receive a first vaccine, while 65% would feel safer if they had been vaccinated. 86% would be willing to be vaccinated if offered.
“Initial results show that more than half of those who have been at sea during the pandemic have been impacted in terms of shore leave and ability to get on or off the vessel. These results are very much based on first responses and researchers are receiving many more on a daily basis.” (amh)