THE IMPACT OF THE PHENOMENON COVID-19 ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SEAFARERS

This paper aims to highlight the devastating impact of the imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic towards the mental health of the sailing crew.
It is well known that the employees in the navy domain were already accustomed to distinct working conditions, depriving themselves of factors that are vital for a balanced, functional state of mental health. The seamen are subjected to solitude, uncertain and unpredictable weather, a constant fear of danger and the anxiety of being prepared to ensure their own safety at any time needed. This paper aims to highlight the devastating impact of the imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic towards the mental health of the sailing crew.
Isolation, research shows, has an impact on both mental and physical health, from reducing the ability to manage stressful situations, to difficulties in making decisions, memorizing and processing information to the onset of depression, anxiety, attacks of panic and increasing the risk of illness, because the immune system of a person responds differently in the fight against viruses.
In this paper were presented the procedures that the crew members of the ships that made voyages in the areas where the imposed restrictions were among the toughest to follow. Also, the mental state of the crew during the voyage and after arrival were analyzed, from in terms of the staff's statements but also individually.