The International Seafarers’ Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) has released its Welfare of Yacht Crew 2024 Annual Review, revealing new insights into the challenges faced by yacht crew and the industry’s responsibility to drive change (iswan.org.uk).
Key Insights & Figures
- 21.4% increase in abuse related calls In 2024, contacts relating to abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence (ABHDV) rose by 21.4% year on year, signaling a growing prevalence of serious welfare issues onboard yachts (iswan.org.uk).
- Women disproportionately affected Although women comprised 50% of contacts (where gender was known), they accounted for a staggering 80% of ABHDV related cases, indicating heightened vulnerability to abuse, harassment, and physical violence (marineinsight.com).
- Top reasons for seeking support
- More complex cases requiring follow up Over 40% of contacts resulted in follow up communications, with an average of three follow ups per case, reflecting the complexity and seriousness of issues raised (iswan.org.uk).
Why This Matters to Women Offshore Readers
- Highlighting gendered risk The overwhelming majority of serious welfare cases involve women, underlining the critical need for gender aware safeguarding and support systems on board.
- Vulnerability in yacht environments Yachts inherently blur the line between home and work. Crew live in confined spaces, lack privacy, and often feel “trapped” in abusive situations, especially without onshore networks or formal HR structures (safety4sea.com).
- Information gap on rights and reporting Many crew members lack awareness of their legal and employment rights or are hesitant to speak out due to fear of repercussions or signed NDAs. This is especially acute for women reporting harassment or violence (iswan.org.uk).
ISWAN’s Strategic Response & Industry Initiatives
- YachtCrewHelp helpline Operating since November 2020, this free, confidential, multilingual service provides emotional and practical support to yacht crew and their families from all nationalities, 24/7 (iswan.org.uk).
- Welfare of Yacht Crew Project A long term initiative launched in 2018 to drive crew centred change across the yachting sector, supported by anonymised helpline data to inform policy, training, and welfare innovations (iswan.org.uk).
- Changing Tack Working Group (CTWG) Chaired by ISWAN and joined by The Seafarers’ Charity, UKSA, Nautilus, and CHIRP Maritime. The working group is now scaling up with new partners to accelerate tangible improvements in crew welfare across the industry (iswan.org.uk).
For women crew members and allies:
- Educate yourself about employment rights and insist on a Seafarer’s Employment Agreement before joining a yacht.
- Familiarise yourself with avenues for reporting abuse, especially anonymously, to reputable organisations.
- Seek support or consider joining a union or external welfare body to bolster resilience and safety (iswan.org.uk, safety4sea.com).
For industry leaders & yacht operators:
- Establish clear, trauma informed policies prohibiting ABHDV and empower crew with accessible reporting routes.
- Ensure transparent employment practices, onboarding processes and mental health support systems.
- Promote allyship, inclusivity, and open dialogue aboard to foster a culture of care and accountability (safety4sea.com).
ISWAN’s latest review paints a troubling but clear picture, welfare concerns among yacht crew are intensifying, with women disproportionately impacted. This report offers not only data but direction, serving as both a warning and a roadmap.
Women Offshore can play a pivotal role by amplifying these findings, elevating the voices of those affected, and encouraging the adoption of safer, gender responsive policies.
By spotlighting the review’s insights and advocating for change, we can help turn shared industry values into real world impact and steer the sector toward a more equitable, inclusive, and supportive future.
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