Seafarer happiness slips as crews camaraderie props up failing shore-side support

The Mission to Seafarers’ Seafarers Happiness Index falls to 6.81/10 in Q3 2026 revealing a widening “resilience gap” between strong onboard relationships and failing shore-side support.

LONDON, 26 October 2026 – Seafarer happiness has fallen for a third consecutive quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI), published by The Mission to Seafarers with Inmarsat and Idwal. The Q3 2026 score of 6.81/10 is down from 6.87 in Q2 and 7.26 at the end of 2025.

Six of the ten measures fell. Those linked to life aboard improved, while those that depend on the ship–shore interface – connectivity, shore leave, wages and welfare ashore – all deteriorated.

Interaction with fellow crew rose to 7.70, the highest-scoring measure, with seafarers repeatedly describing supportive crews as “family”.

The report warns that this cohesion is increasingly absorbing failures elsewhere, and the industry risks mistaking that adaptability for acceptable working conditions.
Shore leave remains the lowest-scoring measure, falling from 5.72 to 5.46, eroded by shorter port stays, remote terminals, security restrictions and minimum crewing. One respondent reported no shore leave across four consecutive contracts.

Port calls that should offer recovery have become the most intense part of the voyage. “In port, we get slammed with dealing with various cargo, regulatory, and husbandry items, all while the office is pushing for the shortest turnaround time,” said one seafarer.

Connectivity recorded the sharpest fall, from 7.46 to 6.89 – not because technology is failing, but because expectations have risen. Seafarers now ask whether access is affordable and reliable enough to support family life, with data caps forcing crews to ration calls home.

Ben Bailey, Director of Programme, The Mission to Seafarers, said: “Seafarers are telling us that their crewmates are holding them together, and that should give us pause. Strong onboard relationships are something to celebrate, but they cannot be a substitute for proper support ashore. When shore leave disappears for contract after contract and calling home has to be rationed, we are asking crews to absorb problems the industry should be fixing. The resilience they are displaying is a clear warning.”

Gert-Jan Panken, GM and Vice President, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “The latest Seafarers Happiness Index highlights the remarkable resilience of seafarers and the importance of strong relationships and community on board. It also provides valuable insights into where we, as an industry, can do more to enhance their experience at sea. Connectivity continues to play an important role in seafarer wellbeing, and expectations are evolving. Beyond providing internet access, the focus must be on delivering reliable, affordable connectivity that enables meaningful connections with family and friends. These findings are an important reminder of our shared responsibility to keep improving life at sea and supporting the people who keep global trade moving.“

Thom Herbert, Idwal’s Head of Global Strategic Accounts and part of the seafarer advocacy team, said: “When our surveyors walk a ship, the condition of the vessel and the wellbeing of its crew are rarely separate stories. A tired, overstretched crew cannot maintain a ship as it deserves. A poorly maintained ship makes every working day harder, more tiring and less safe. That’s why our grading looks at how a vessel is managed, not just its steel and machinery. This report shows crews holding things together through their commitment to each other. That should concern anyone with a stake in a ship. Crew welfare is not a soft issue alongside vessel condition. It is part of it.”

The SHI is a quarterly survey conducted by The Mission to Seafarers, in partnership with Idwal and Inmarsat, providing vital insight into the lives and experiences of those working at sea.

The full Q3 2026 Seafarers Happiness Index report is available here – Seafarers Happiness Index Report Q3 2026

About The Mission to Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.89 million men and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat. The Mission works in over 200 ports in 50 countries caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through its global network of chaplains, staff and volunteers, we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers’ centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services.

The Seafarers Happiness Index is a barometer of the key issues facing those at sea, conducted every three months. Seafarers are asked ten key questions about their experiences, via an online survey.

About Idwal
Idwal is a global leader in vessel inspections, benchmarking and analysis, driving asset integrity, sustainability, and transparency in the maritime industry.

Idwal deploys a rigorous and standardised inspection process, underpinned by digital methodology covering 500+ on-board data points, to deliver market-leading inspection reports featuring the Idwal Grade®, a number between 1 and 100 showing the integrity of any maritime asset or investment whilst enabling easy comparisons at a glance.

Founded in 2010 by Graig Shipping PLC, Idwal is based in Cardiff, UK, with offices in Shanghai, Tokyo and Athens, and with an extensive surveyor network around the globe.

About Inmarsat
Inmarsat Maritime is now a Viasat business and continues to power the digitalisation of the maritime industry, making operations more efficient and safer than ever before. Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. On May 30, 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner.