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Shipping industry joins Sailors’ Society for first ever Wellness at Sea Week

19 Nov, 2018

The Wellness at Sea debate saw industry leaders discuss the issue of connectivity at sea and whether it benefits seafarer well-being.

Representatives from the shipping industry including Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings, Anglo-Eastern and Wallem, joined international maritime charity Sailors’ Society at its first ever Wellness at Sea Week in Hong Kong this month (4-10 November).

The week highlighted the issues of crew well-being and began with Wellness at Sea training for seafarers in India and South Africa.

On 9 November, Sabrina Chao, Chair of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings, delivered the keynote speech at the Wellness at Sea Seminar.

Delegates also heard the latest findings on well-being from Yale University’s Dr Rafael Lefkowitz.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors’ Society CEO, said, “We’ve been working hard to encourage everyone in the shipping industry to focus on the important issue of crew wellness.

“Seafarer well-being is at the heart of Sailors’ Society’s work and we are so grateful to have support from across the shipping industry, including our fantastic Hong Kong Ambassadors group.”

The seminar was followed by a Wellness at Sea debate, where industry leaders discussed the issue of connectivity at sea and whether it benefits seafarer well-being. Speakers included Arthur Bowring, formerly of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Pradeep Chawla of Anglo-Eastern.

The week finished with the Wellness at Sea Trek, which was sponsored by West of England Valles, Steamship Mutual and Clarksons Platou HK.

Teams from across the industry trekked Hong Kong’s scenic hiking trails before a celebratory party at the Ladies’ Recreation Club. Competitors have so far raised $150,000 (HKD) towards Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea programme.

The trek was won by Taylor Maritime with Reed Smith second and Latitude Brokers, SCB Management Consulting Services and American P&I Club HK sharing third place.

Wellness at Sea launched in 2015 with five modules on physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual wellness. A free app for seafarers has also been developed and earlier this year Sailors’ Society launched Wellness at Sea e-learning, which is available to seafarers around the world.

Stuart added, “Thank you to all those who took part in the first Wellness at Sea Week and helped to support Sailors’ Society’s global work with seafarers.”

To find out more about our Wellness at Sea programme visit: www.sailors-society.org/wellness

Teams from across the industry trekked Hong Kong’s scenic hiking trails

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