Abstract

Dr Deepchand Dhankher

ABSTRACT

Merchant Navy being challenging and stimulating, provides vast employment opportunity and financial stability to the aspiring seafarers. Career in Merchant Navy carries high promotional prospects, achievement scope but also vast occupational work pressure, stress & fatigue which if not dealt well leads to anxiety, stress, depression, etc. According to WHO. every 40 seconds, someone in the world loses their life to suicide, and merchant navy is no exception to this. In the recent times, cases of suicides, stress, and depression are on an increase on Board Merchant vessels. Apart from mental issues there are reported cases among ship’s crew to have generated unethical practice cases of crew bullying are increasing as being reported by ISHWAN news marine insight (Feb 2020). Although shipping industry is most regulated and govern by national and international shipping laws which have enabled seafarers to live a comfortable life on board, but yet Today ship’s crew are far from experiencing true peace and satisfaction of mind. This indicates that our efforts including manila convention 2006 mandatory rest hours are totally inclined towards the provision of relaxation or comfort to the human body (physical comfort), neglecting the inner needs or the spiritual needs of human mind and intellect. It is well known fact that mental health is an essential part of overall wellbeing, however cases of mental distress have been reported. The fact the seafarers work in isolated water with unknown and multi-nationality crew which can further trigger anxiety, fear and sense of security & safety. There is an urge to raise the spiritual acumen of the seafarers. A number of multinational shipping companies all around the world are now paying attention towards this science of meditation, spirituality and ethics for helping seafarers, to save them from burnout and to for improving their efficiency and character. Hence, this article touches the note that while ensuring steady material progress, it is equally essential to maintain spiritual progress. Spirituality frees the individual from sorrow, suffering, misery, pain, depression, fear, anxiety, illness, disease, insecurity and phobias and enables to experience constant true peace, true happiness, true love and lasting health, wealth and prosperity. It increases the potential of human mind to perform better in all respects.