Distance from loved ones, long, arduous voyages and a lack of access to communication can make seafarers especially vulnerable to mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, stress and depression.
Because their work is unseen, a seafarer's existence is largely forgotten. As well, "the detrimental effects to physical health of substance abuse also exacerbate mental health problems and can too often manifest themselves in aggressive behavior or disruptive thinking." ( from International Center for Advancing the Legal Protection of Seafarers )
Recently, I experienced a profound example of depression and anxiety at sea. I immediately noticed that there was something wrong during a recent ship visit when I met the first crew members. They looked nervous and there was a lot of commotion inside! Apparently, two crew members, the cook and a mechanic had mentally 'snapped '.
I was escorted to a room and there was one of the most pitiful sights I've ever seen. On a stretcher lay the cook all tied up while fearfully staring at the ceiling. He had needed to be restrained as he had become very aggressive, trying to hurt other crew members and throwing furniture through the mess room. They could not trust his behavior hence for the safety of the other crew members they had to tie him up. Similarly, the other crew member had been restrained in another area of the ship. Understandably, the captain was very nervous since this was his first voyage as captain and then to have two crew members snapping mentally. Not a good way to start your career.
Both sick crew members would need medical attention. An hour later, in what looked like a Hollywood crime scene, they were taken via ambulance, along with fire truck and police escort to St Paul's Hospital.
Their ship left the next day without them and eventually they were sent home to The Philippines.......The next day it was business as usual at the Delta Port!
