Seafarers’ Distress and Coping Mechanism Basis for Support Program

This study aimed to assess the seafarers’ distress and coping mechanism as they faced their lives working in seafaring. Specifically, it sought to identify then profile of the response in terms of age, gender, civil status, position, length of years onboard, and income; identify the factors that caused distress among seafarers in terms of physical, emotional, psychological, social aspect, personality traits, physical factors, and personal reason; determined the coping mechanism they used in terms of personality traits, physical factors, and personal reason; test the significant difference and factors group according to profile; and propose an action plan based on the result. The study made use of descriptive and utilized an adapted questionnaire which was partially modified and distributed among 24 cruise line operations graduate currently onboard. It was found out that majority of the respondents are single 18- 35 years old males, working as staff for 1-3 years and earning 40,000-60,000 agreed that factor such as physical oppressiveness, long absence from work, high level of stress and long and unsociable working hours that caused distress when they are on board. They always cope with distress in terms of personal reason, physical factors, and personality traits. There is significant difference on factors that caused distress as to psychological when grouped according to position. Examination to assess the seafarer’s coping mechanism before deployment may prevent future problems.

Keywords – Seafarers, Distress, Coping Mechanism