There is a black hole swallowing the health and sometimes the lives of dozens of seafarers, a group particularly exposed to the risk of suicide.
A little-known reality has been revealed by research conducted by Gard, one of the world’s largest P&I Clubs, which between 2020 and 2024 handled over 30,000 claims within its insurance portfolio, 6,000 of which were recorded in 2024.
Although a minority, the available numbers are still alarming: in the past year alone, Gard reported nine cases of suicide aboard insured vessels. This accounts for 9% of the 90 deaths recorded in 2024.
What makes the data even more shocking is that in 2024, suicide cases exceeded fatalities caused by fatal accidents.
Most suicides involved officers, both senior and junior, and in 75% of reported cases, the seafarers were under 41 years old.
The study highlights that most suicide deaths were caused by hanging or drowning.
Hanging suicides occurred at night in private, locked spaces. Drowning deaths (man overboard) happened during the day.
None of the seafarers involved in these incidents had previously been reported for negative workplace behavior, and few left letters explaining their state of mind or identifying the cause of their extreme actions.
“These figures underscore the importance of paying greater attention to mental health and well-being at sea,” says Lene-Camilla Nordlie, one of the study’s leads.
The report shows how time spent at sea significantly affects seafarers’ happiness. It peaks (with a score of 7.85 out of 10) in the first month of a contract but begins to decline over the next four months, reaching its lowest point (7.45).
On average, seafarers over 46 reported higher happiness levels (7.82) than their younger colleagues, with the lowest scores among those aged 31–35.
Rest hours also significantly impact reported happiness. Seafarers with only 5–6 hours of rest per day scored 6.2 on the happiness index, while those with over 8 hours scored significantly higher (7.9).
Gard emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive onboard culture. “Leadership plays a crucial role in this context and can help create an atmosphere of openness, empathy, and psychological safety onboard,” the report states. “Even small gestures can make a difference, positively impacting mental well-being and promoting a culture where seeking help is met with understanding and every crew member feels valued.”
This need is particularly urgent for seafarers, as none of those involved in the recorded suicide cases had sought psychological help or any form of support.
As previously mentioned, 2024 saw 90 crew fatalities.
The frequency remained consistent with the previous year, but comparing the average death rate in the three post-Covid years (2022–2024) with the three years prior shows a 25% increase in death compensation claims.
83% of cases were illness-related. Due to the nature of their work, seafarers are highly exposed to cardiovascular diseases caused by stress, malnutrition, and lack of physical activity onboard. 60% of deaths reported by Gard-insured crews involved heart-related issues.
Among all fatal crew incidents in 2024, seven (8% of total fatalities) resulted from various accidents.
Six of these tragic events were caused by individual injuries, mostly from falls.
In all but one fatal incident, the deceased crew were performing their duties, and human error appears to have played a significant role in many deaths.
Four of the six fatal accidents involved falls from height. Three of these were falls overboard. In two cases, seafarers fell while using ladders. One was not wearing a life jacket; the other lacked a safety harness. Both seemed conscious after falling, but weather conditions may have affected their survival chances.
Three other cases involved different traumatic situations: one was a fall from height in an enclosed space, another a fatal crushing injury, and the last an electrocution.
