Crude oil tanker company Euronav has invested to become a four-year sponsor of Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea program.
Wellness at Sea, which was launched in 2015, is a coaching and support program devised by the international maritime welfare charity to promote health and wellbeing among the world’s seafarers. Wellness at Sea is designed to reflect the needs of mariners and the shipping industry alike by promoting cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, social skills and spiritual wellbeing alongside more familiar skills competence.
Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of Euronav, said, “We, at Euronav, are concerned about the health and wellbeing of our own seafarers and it is with a sense of our broader responsibility to the whole industry that we support this initiative, particularly as it emphasizes mental and emotional wellbeing, which are often ignored, but when they are absent their place is soon taken by accidents and injury.”
Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea program seeks to support the mental and physical health of seafarers in a holistic manner, addressing five specific needs: social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness.
Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s director of program, said, “Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea program has been well received by the industry and it is wonderful to have the support and endorsement of a company such as Euronav. Hundreds of seafarers have already completed the course and Euronav’s support ensures that many more will benefit from the coaching program for years to come.”
Companies who have already undertaken the training include Wallem, Univan, Sea Team and Seaspan. More than 400 students have already completed the full and condensed versions of coaching program and an additional 600 seafarers are expected to participate in courses this year.