Pratik Bijlani –
The Maritime Union of India (MUI) brought the often-unseen emotional demands of life at sea into focus during a webinar on 25 July, bringing together maritime professionals and young aspirants, including cadets from the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), Goa, for a conversation on emotional resilience, self-awareness and mental well-being.
Moderated by Dr Deepti Mankad, Head of the MUI Women’s Wing, the webinar, titled The Emotional Blueprint – Why We React the Way We Do, reflected growing recognition across the maritime industry that preparing seafarers for demanding careers requires more than technical competence. Isolation, prolonged separation from families, operational pressure and uncertainty can place considerable emotional strain on those working at sea.
In his address, MUI General Secretary Capt Savio Ramos congratulated the Women’s Wing for bringing emotional well-being into the maritime conversation. He stressed that understanding emotional responses can directly influence judgement, teamwork and leadership onboard. “The maritime profession prepares us for storms and operational challenges, but we must also learn to navigate our emotional storms. Greater self-awareness and resilience make us better professionals and leaders, while supporting mental and emotional well-being ultimately contributes to safer ships, stronger teamwork and better decision-making.” he said.
Following an introduction by Ms Renuka Nayyar, Senior Member of the MUI Women’s Wing, keynote presenter Ms Deepshikha Mehra, an empowerment and transformative wellness coach and maritime wellness trainer, explored what she described as an individual’s “emotional blueprint”. Through mindfulness exercises and interactive activities, she explained how childhood experiences, family dynamics, attachment styles, personal beliefs, conditioning and past experiences can shape responses to criticism, relationships and stressful situations.
Participants were introduced to the instinctive fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses, while an interactive Emotional Blueprint Quiz encouraged them to examine their own triggers and behavioural patterns. Ms. Mehra also outlined warning signs of deteriorating mental well-being, ranging from withdrawal, declining motivation and negative self-talk to disturbed sleep, fatigue, headaches and other physical symptoms.
Practical emotional-regulation techniques formed an important part of the discussion, including pausing and breathing during stressful moments, recognising personal needs, journaling, gratitude and positive self-affirmation. Her message was particularly relevant for the participating cadets preparing to encounter the realities of shipboard life for the first time. “As cadets prepare for their first experience onboard, they should understand that technical knowledge is only one part of becoming a competent seafarer. Self-awareness, communication, emotional regulation and healthy coping mechanisms are equally valuable. Understanding yourself better can ultimately help you navigate both the professional challenges and personal realities of seafaring.” Ms. Mehra said.
During a Q&A session facilitated by Ms Mona Breja, the dialogue shifted from conceptual frameworks to the realities faced at sea — including workplace stress, harassment, bullying, and extreme onboard situations. Ms. Mehra underscored the importance of clear communication, attentiveness to physical stress signals, and channelling energy toward circumstances within one’s “circle of control,” offering seafarers practical strategies to safeguard well‑being in demanding maritime environments.
The programme drew to a close with a concise summary by Ms. Payal Bhalla, Head of Public Relations and Events at the MUI Women’s Wing, followed by a vote of thanks from Ms. Suchita Javdekar, Key Representative of the Wing. Anchored in MUI’s broader mental‑wellness initiatives, the webinar reinforced a message of growing relevance to modern shipping: resilience, empathy, and emotional preparedness are emerging as vital pillars of a sustainable maritime career, standing alongside professional skill and technical competence.
Marex Media