Sailors’ Society is launching a second year of Wellness at Sea Training for Africa’s cadets, ratings and trainees, thanks to renewed funding from their partner in this programme, ITF Seafarers’ Trust.
Together, the global maritime welfare Charity and the Trust, which supports programmes and grants to improve the health, wellbeing and welfare of maritime workers and their families worldwide, have already helped more than 1600 of the next generation of African maritime prepare for their future careers.
The bespoke initiative, based on the Society’s acclaimed and established Wellness at Sea programme, is already complementing the curriculum at leading maritime institutions in Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia, Kenya and South Africa by focusing on mental health, resilience, relationships, conflict management, piracy awareness and overall wellbeing.
Sara Baade, CEO of Sailors’ Society, said: “Africa’s maritime expansion highlights just how important it is for the continent’s cadets to have access to this wellbeing toolkit and our 24/7 support.
“We are incredibly grateful to ITF Seafarers’ Trust for their continued commitment to this programme. By investing in their wellbeing before they ever step on board, we are helping build safer, stronger and more resilient African crews for years to come.”
Cadets who have taken part in the programme reveal the immediate and measurable difference it makes, with 81 per cent saying the training gave new insight into the realities of life at sea and 100 per cent saying the training would help them better handle situations on board.
One cadet said: “Every student in maritime must go through this; it is very helpful.”