Bullying and harassment at sea

Our new State of the Industry Snapshot focused on Bullying and Harassment at sea is available now.

The Snapshot is packed with previously unpublished statistics, including those gathered from our global Wellness at Sea conferences and hugely popular Peer-to-Peer Support Groups.

It also contains the lived experiences of seafarers themselves with data and commentaries from some of the leading organisations and experts who work in this field, including Human Rights at Sea and Safer Waves.

Our CEO, Sara Baade, said: “This Snapshot is unique in providing the most comprehensive and current insight into bullying and harassment at sea. It highlights to the wider maritime industry the challenges it faces and provides simple solutions that can help foster an inclusive and respectful culture that ensures a safe and welcoming environment for seafarers.”

With its foreword from the Secretary-General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, the Snapshot reveals a worrying picture. Active seafarers are up to 10 times more likely to experience and witness bullying compared to those who have never been to sea.

The previously unseen data also reveals that female cadets are disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment at sea. The number of African females experiencing bullying is more than double that of their male counterparts, for example.

Peer-to-Peer Support Group members reported that the bullying and harassment they experience takes the form of intimidation, verbal abuse and deliberate exclusion or isolation. Some also said they experience hierarchical bullying from more senior officers or their company.

Insights into LGBTQ+ seafarers’ experiences, from their Peer-to-Peer groups, reveal almost 67 per cent experienced bullying or harassment, with more than half reporting not being open at all about their identity on board.

download THE REPORT HERE +

“On the Day of the Seafarer 2025, the International Maritime Organization supports Sailors’ Society’s crucial report on bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, aligning closely with our global campaign: “My Harassment-Free Ship”… Let us embrace this call for urgent action and pledge to make every ship harassment-free. Our seafarers deserve nothing less than a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace”.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

North Asia cadets

have the strongest job opportunities

African cadets

the highest confidence in finding a job despite having the lowest percentages of job offers

South East Asian cadets

more than half of polled were worried about their mental health

European cadets

have the highest stress levels with only a third having secured employment

UK cadets

revealed they had good job prospects and very low stress levels versus

Chinese cadets

place emphasis on connectivity and technology – more than 20 per cent higher than in other regions

The report reveals:

“I was frequently subjected to inappropriate comments from male colleagues. A senior officer made unwanted advances and pressured me to spend time alone with him under the pretext of ‘training’ – I’m a female cadet on board a container vessel. When I refused, he spread false rumours that I was incompetent“.

Anonymous cadet

download THE REPORT HERE +