摘要: |
There is a lot of emphasis today on vessel automation and environmental impact. Computers can make vessels "smart." Solar panels can make vessels "green." But how about making vessels "happy?" Crew happiness is very important and was the focus of a recent survey from the Mission To Seafarers released in April. The "Seafarers Happiness Index" includes a broad range of indicators. Unfortunately, the first quarter 2022 index reveals the lowest levels of seafarer satisfaction in eight years, with overall happiness decreasing from 6.41 to 5.85 and levels dropping across all categories. Keep in mind that this was an international survey covering everything from dredges to luxury yachts. One of the parameters used was trip length, with three to six months yielding the highest level of happiness. However, since the pool of data here was international in scope, that doesn't mean that a crew on an inland towboat working 28 days on/14 off wouldn't be happier. |