Upcoming Seminar to Highlight Importance of Social Interaction for Crew Wellbeing

Representatives from the global superyacht industry are invited to the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network’s (ISWAN) 2022 Seminar in Rotterdam this November.

The event, sponsored by Bahri, will be held on board the ss Rotterdam on 16^th November and themed: ‘The importance of social interaction for seafarers’ wellbeing’. It will offer a much-needed opportunity for representatives of the global superyacht industry to amplify the voices of superyacht crew about the challenges they face whilst living and working on board, and to work collaboratively with welfare charities and other representatives from across the maritime sector to develop solutions for change.

In June 2022, ISWAN published its Social Interaction Matters (SIM) Project phase two report, recommendations and guidance. The 2022 Seminar will highlight learnings from this important research and investigate how to further develop and effectively implement the project’s guidance and recommendations for the future – in ways that are inclusive for other areas of the maritime sector, including cruise ships and superyachts. Karen Passman, who launched Impact Crew in 2007 to provide development for superyacht crew facing the unique challenges of working and living at sea, will feature on a panel discussion, which will be followed by a workshop with delegates. This will offer superyacht industry stakeholders the opportunity to provide their input in this important work to ensure that it effectively reaches and benefits yacht crew.

ISWAN’s last in-person annual seminar took place in Mumbai in 2019 and focused on how those in the maritime industry could work together for seafarers’ mental wellbeing. Three years on, the 2022 Seminar will take a penetrating look at what the sector has learned since then and what issues seafarers are facing now.

The seminar is free to attend and offers valuable opportunities for networking, but those unable to attend in person have the opportunity to view the event online instead.

Delegates should register to attend (in person or online) here.

ISWAN’s 2022 Seminar is sponsored by gold sponsor Bahri, silver sponsors the UK Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Nautilus International, and bronze sponsors AMOSUP, KVH, Mayfair We Care and Scorpio Group. The event will be hosted by Stichting Welzijn Zeevarenden Rotterdam. If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact ISWAN’s Projects and Relationships Manager Georgia Allen at georgia.allen@iswan.org.uk. Information about the benefits of sponsoring this event can be found here.

ISWAN’s annual general meeting (AGM) will be held for ISWAN members the previous day on 15^th November. More information about both events can be found here.