The Office of National Statistics has reported that one in six adults will be experiencing a mental health problem at any one time. The chances of members of ships’ crews being affected are therefore statistically high – and may be exacerbated by particular aspects of seafaring, such as separation from family and isolation.

At the 105^th annual meeting of the International Labour Conference, amendments were voted for regarding the protection of seafarers against shipboard harassment and bullying and to allow for an extension of the validity of flag state issued maritime labour certificates.

Delegates at the 105th annual meeting of the International Labour Conference overwhelmingly voted in favour of further amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, in order to better protect seafarers against shipboard harassment and bullying and to allow for an extension of the validity of maritime labour certificates

The 2014 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 are due to come into force on 18 January 2017. The amendments will require the carriage of certificates, or other documentary evidence, of financial security with respect to shipowners’ liability, and repatriation and abandonment.