Pratik Bijlani –
On 8th April, the Institute of Maritime Studies Goa (IMS Goa) recently organized a technical seminar on Building Mental Resilience and Emotional Strength in Young Seafarers at Hotel Mirage, bringing together maritime professionals, educators, and industry stakeholders to address the growing importance of mental health in the seafaring profession. The seminar focused on the psychological challenges faced by young seafarers, including isolation, long contracts, and high-stress working environments, while emphasizing the need to integrate emotional well-being into maritime training.
The session highlighted a significant shift in the industry’s approach, recognizing that modern maritime education must extend beyond technical competencies to include emotional intelligence, resilience-building, and mental preparedness. Discussions centred on equipping young mariners with practical coping mechanisms, stress management techniques, and the ability to adapt to the demanding and often unpredictable conditions at sea. The initiative reflected a broader industry commitment to prioritizing the “human element” in shipping and aligning with global efforts to enhance seafarer welfare.
The programme was compered by Mr. Heston Dias, Faculty at IMS Goa, and commenced with a welcome address by Shri Alwin A. Dias, Deputy Director at IMS Goa. In his address, he emphasized that while technical skills remain essential, mental resilience is equally critical yet often overlooked. He noted that many young seafarers are technically prepared but not mentally equipped to handle the realities of life at sea, which can impact both safety and performance.
Reinforcing this perspective, he stated, “A seafarer may be trained in skills and operations, but without mental resilience and emotional strength, the true demands of life at sea cannot be met—because a resilient seafarer is not only a better professional, but a safer and stronger individual.”
The seminar featured a series of insightful presentations addressing various dimensions of mental resilience. Capt. Rajat Kathuria, Learning Development Manager at Scorpio Marine Management, highlighted the gap between expectations and onboard realities, stressing the importance of mentorship, supportive leadership, and open communication. Mr. Anand D’Souza, Senior Manager (Learning & Development) at MMSI Ship Management, examined the impact of social media on young seafarers, noting how constant exposure to curated lifestyles can weaken emotional stability and create unrealistic expectations. Mr. Romell Tiwari focused on the challenges faced during the transition from shore to ship, advocating for stronger onboard support systems and practical coping strategies such as hobbies, mindfulness, and social interaction.
Ms. Puja Rawat, Placement Advisor at IMS Goa emphasized that resilience is not theoretical but must be practiced daily through consistent habits and behaviours. She highlighted the role of leadership in shaping onboard culture and reducing human error by fostering mental stability. As she noted, “Mental resilience is not something we learn in theory—it is built every day through our habits, our responses, and the culture we create; because at sea, being mentally strong is not an option, it is a requirement for safety and survival.” Mr. Dipak Shah added a perspective on emotional healing, advocating practices such as meditation, gratitude, and positive thinking to maintain inner balance and well-being.
The panel discussion, moderated by Capt. (Dr.) Shashank Jahagirdar, Managing Director – Country Head at MTM Ship Management, further explored key challenges including fear, communication barriers, stress, and isolation among young seafarers. Panellists emphasized the importance of supportive onboard environments, strong leadership, and early habit-building to ensure both individual well-being and operational safety.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Shivam Kamat, followed by networking, cocktails, and dinner, reinforcing the collective commitment of the maritime community to building a more resilient, prepared, and future-ready workforce.
Marex Media