International Support services available to seafarers anywhere in the world
SeafarerHelp
Free, confidential, multilingual helpline for seafarers and their families available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year facilitated by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). Available via telephone; email, Facebook, Skype, Vyber and via callback (see website above). Direct dial +44 20 7323 2737 or email help@seafarerhelp.org
Directory of seafarers' centres worldwide
ISWAN has also compiled this useful directory of all seafarer centres worldwide (also available using the Shore Leave app - see below). Includes details of the facilities and services on offer at each centre, opening times, plus contact details for chaplains/ship visitors.
Apostleship of the Sea
International maritime charity Apostleship of the Sea offers confidential advice and support via this link. Alternatively, a list of its chaplains' contact details can be found here.
Guidance
ISWAN Seafarers' Health Information Programme
ISWAN has produced numerous free guides on many different aspects of mental wellness. ISWAN's 'Steps to Positive Mental Health' document is of particular interest and is available in Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Russian and Spanish, as well as English.
Smartphone apps
Wellness at Sea
The Sailors' Society's Wellness at Sea app is broken down into five key elements of all-round well-being: social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness. The app allows the seafarer to track their progress whilst onboard ship and provides information on ports and countries along with contact details for chaplains.
Shore Leave
The ITF Seafarers' Trust's Shore Leave app aims to help crew members to make the most of their limited free time in port. The free app includes contact details for seafarers’ centres worldwide, which are accessible while offline. It also includes all the contact details for the 24/7 ISWAN Seafarers Help service.
Seafarer charities