Sailors’ Society is reshaping cadet training in Sri Lanka
The revolutionary Sailors’ Society Wellness at Sea training programme for maritime cadets has now been launched in Sri Lanka, marking a significant step in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the next generation of seafarers from one of the world’s key seafarer supply nations.
The initiative, which both complements and supplements the island’s maritime curriculum, is carried out in partnership with ITF Seafarers’ Trust and is supported by the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS).
Devised specifically for cadets at the beginning of their maritime careers, the programme builds on feedback from the Society’s Wellness at Sea Conferences, which have already reached more than 35,000 cadets, trainees and ratings, and the charity’s acclaimed Wellness at Sea training programme.
Aiming to equip young seafarers with practical tools to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain positive mental health while at sea, the first batch of training took place at MSTI Maritime Academy, Sri Lanka.
The 35 engineering cadets and the Academy gave the training overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the relevance and impact of the sessions.
An Academy spokesperson said: “MSTI is proud to introduce the Wellness at Sea programme in collaboration with Sailors’ Society – marking a significant milestone as the first maritime institute in Sri Lanka to partner with this globally recognised initiative.
“It brings a well-rounded approach to cadet development. Through this partnership, MSTI Maritime Academy reaffirms its commitment to developing not only skilled engineers but also mentally resilient and well-prepared seafarers, setting a new benchmark for maritime education in Sri Lanka.”
Sara Baade, CEO of Sailors’ Society, added: “Cadets face various challenges as they transition into life at sea, including isolation, demanding workloads, and prolonged periods away from home. This programme addresses these realities through interactive sessions covering emotional wellbeing, coping strategies, peer support, and how to access help when needed.
“Cadets are the future of our industry, and it is vital that we invest in their wellbeing from the very start of their careers. By launching cadet training in Sri Lanka, we are helping young seafarers build the resilience and confidence they need, not only to succeed professionally, but to thrive personally.”
Read more about our training programme for cadets HERE
