Living and working on a yacht offers a unique lifestyle, but it also comes with significant challenges. These pressures can become even more pronounced during the holiday season, as being away from friends and family can intensify feelings of loneliness or homesickness. Combined with the high expectations of employers and guests, it’s no surprise that stress, anxiety, and burnout can take a toll on mental health. Taking the first step toward seeking help—or even acknowledging the need for it—can be difficult. However, mental health awareness within the yachting industry has grown significantly in recent years, and confidential, supportive resources are more accessible than ever.

At MHG Insurance , we understand the complexities of working in such a high-pressure environment and are committed to helping crew members access the support they need to thrive. Keep reading for an overview of resources, practical tips, and actionable solutions to safeguard your mental health. Remember, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful step toward resilience, balance, and a healthier, happier you.

Support Dedicated To Seafarers

Several organizations offer specialized services and programs designed specifically for seafarers, providing support that is both relevant and compassionate. Remember, seeking help isn’t just for moments of crisis—it’s about proactively safeguarding your well-being before challenges become overwhelming.

• ISWAN’s YachtCrewHelp – A free, confidential, and multilingual support helpline for yacht crew, accessible 24/7, every day of the year.

• Seas the Mind - Committed to fostering mentally healthy and resilient yacht crews through Mental Health First Aid training.

• Yachtie Minds Matter – Captain Kelly Gordon’s initiative promoting mental health awareness resources for yacht crew. An industry advocate, Capt Kelly fosters open conversations and offers tools, information, and support to prioritize crew well-being, drawing from her own relatable experiences in yachting..

• Safer Waves - Safer Waves offers confidential help for seafarers experiencing harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

Unlocking Mental Health Resources with Your Crew Health Plan

Crew Health insurance plans have made accessing professional mental health support easier than ever. Many policies now include mental health services as a standard benefit, with no deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance required. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the flexibility of virtual consultations, help is accessible no matter where you are in the world.

It’s important to note that coverage can vary between policies. If you’re considering seeking support, take a moment to review your policy details or reach out to your insurance broker for a complete understanding of your options.

Building Peer Support Networks

Though professional help is invaluable, the power of community should not be underestimated. Connecting with fellow crew members or others within the industry with shared experiences can provide a sense of solidarity and understanding.

Some yacht crew turn to social media pages , online groups, or local meetups for support. Platforms like Facebook may host private groups specifically for crew, where individuals share advice, stories, and resources. Others opt for more structured peer-support systems, such as attending crew wellness events or joining organizations that promote mental health awareness in the yachting community.

Onboard, fostering open communication with your team can make a significant difference. Crew members who feel comfortable discussing their struggles with trusted colleagues often experience reduced feelings of isolation. While the yachting industry is still evolving in its approach to mental health, the cultural shift toward openness and empathy is palpable.

Self-Care: The First Line of Defense

Although external resources are essential, your personal habits also play a significant role in maintaining mental health. Prioritizing self-care onboard can seem challenging, but even small changes can make a substantial difference.

Physical activity is a powerful way to reduce stress and boost your mood. While many yachties stay active through the demands of their job, taking time for enjoyable physical activities can make all the difference. Whether it’s using the yacht’s fitness equipment, practicing yoga on deck, swimming, or going for a walk or jog during shore leave, exercise provides a chance to clear your mind and release stress. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, try to steal a few moments for yourself. Prioritize activity that feels good for you—it’s an investment in both your mental and physical well-being.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or breathing exercises, are also excellent tools for managing stress. Apps like Calm or Headspace are particularly useful for busy schedules, offering guided meditations that can be completed in just a few minutes.

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and limiting alcohol are fundamental. While it may be difficult, try to get as much sleep as possible. It can be tempting to rely on convenience foods or energy drinks during hectic workdays, but prioritizing nutrition will provide long-term benefits for both your body and mind.

Taking the Next Step

Mental health is a vital component of your overall well-being. Whether you’re facing unresolved issues, navigating heavy emotional challenges, or simply need someone to listen, your Crew Health plan and industry resources are here to help. Prioritize your well-being by making healthy lifestyle choices and incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine. From professional counseling to peer networks and self-guided approaches, the resources available to yacht crew are designed to meet you where you are—no matter the challenges you face.

At MHG Insurance, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health of those who dedicate their lives to working at sea. Through comprehensive insurance solutions that include access to mental health services, we strive to ensure you have the care and support you need when it matters most.

Life onboard can be unpredictable, but with the right tools and resources, you can navigate the waves of mental health challenges with strength, resilience, and confidence.

Good help is hard to find. Everyone has heard different horror stories about coworkers and colleagues from their friends, or even ones they have experienced firsthand. Filling open positions properly within your company can have a great impact on your bottom line. From having unproductive and inefficient workers, or workers who go above and beyond, one thing that can have a direct effect to your bottom line is workers’ compensation. Workplace injuries can be quite expensive for employers, especially those companies that require skilled or physical labor. So, if you are interested in helping your businesses’ bottom line, use some of these tips to help avoid hiring your next costly claim.

Before the Hiring Process

Much like having a good foundation determines the strength of a building, hiring practices can have a similar effect to your business and its future. Preparation is very important when starting the hiring process. You want to be sure the right people are in the right jobs to get the most out of your team. Putting someone into a position that has no experience or background in said position could result in mistakes and possible injury if they lack training and experience. There are many ways to do your homework when beginning the hiring process, from gathering analytics of the mistakes that people make in the workplace, to psychology of people that will put them in the best position. Assessing problems before you make a hire can be best form of preventing a loss.

During the Hiring Process

Job interviews and job shadowing, or any other form of evaluating someone before hiring them is a great opportunity to see if someone is not only a perfect fit for the position, but your company culture as well. Unfortunately, you can’t ask someone about previous claims they were involved in, however, you can ask them about any gaps in their employment. Also, be sure to ask them how they would handle certain situations that can arise such as emergencies or other scenarios that may put them or their coworkers in danger. So far so good? If so, you should contact all their references to get a feel for how they are viewed from their past employers.

Don’t Stop Once They’re Hired

Once your new employee has passed all screening and gone through all the training necessary, welcome him or her to the company! An employment offer should be contingent on successful completion of screenings. Completion of a thorough hiring process should help to ensure the new employee will be a good fit. But the process shouldn’t stop there. Just because you have found your new employee, doesn’t mean you should stop working to avoid a claim. Implementing regular safety and training programs for all employees is a good practice that helps to avoid catastrophic and frequent claim. Lastly, all processes and procedures should be communicated loud and clear so that everyone in your workforce is aware of the company’s expectations. 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance should be a top priority for all businesses. If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing workers’ compensation insurance, or any other form of Property & Casualty Insurance, please contact us at 954-828-1819 or visit our website mhginsurance.com. Our insurance specialists have the knowledge and experience to assist and advise your business about all the necessary business insurances.

The Isle of Man Maritime Group is hosting an evening reception during London International Shipping Week 2015 at historic Trinity House. LISW is one of the highlights of the maritime calendar with more than 100 industry events taking place in London from September 7-11. It is aimed at the movers and shakers from the international shipping and superyacht community. 

As official sponsors of LISW 2015, the Isle of Man Maritime Group’s “Nautical by Nature” event on September 8 will lead guests on a journey through the Island’s rich seafaring heritage to its current position of maritime centre of excellence.  Manx actors and musicians will bring to life the legacy of the Vikings; introduce the ringleaders of the Mutiny on the Bounty; remember the courage of Captain John Quilliam who was First Lieutenant on HMS Victory and set the scene for the inspiration of Sir William Hilary, who founded the RNLI. 

The music and drama will be showcased in the historic surroundings of Trinity House, the remarkable 18^th Century headquarters of the Corporation of Trinity House, which has maintained British lighthouses since the 16^th Century. Guests will be met by Isle of Man’s own sea cadets and guided up the grand, sweeping staircase to a reception on the first floor. All the rooms will be open to guests including the Pepys Room, the library and the reading room. 

Isle of Man Maritime Group Chairman, Bruce McGregor said: “LISW is the ideal opportunity for us to promote the wealth of maritime services and experience delivered on the Isle of Man. This event will celebrate our rich seafaring tradition and how we have evolved into a modern, technically astute global centre of excellence.” 

Guests at the reception will be able to meet representatives from the Isle of Man Maritime Group including the IOM Ship Registry; IOM Shipping Association; IOM Superyacht Forum KPMG; Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Isle of Man); Döhle (IOM) Group of Companies; PDMS Maritime; Simcocks Advocates; MHG Insurance Brokers; Affinity Management Services and InterManager. 

LISW 

LISW will be the ‘must attend’ event of 2015, offering over 100 industry functions and unique networking opportunities for leaders across all sectors of the international shipping industry – regulators, charterers, ship owners, ship managers, bunker suppliers, lawyers, ship brokers, bankers, insurers, insurance brokers, commodity traders and brokers, ship suppliers, port operators, shipping service providers and many more. The UK is the leading centre worldwide for the supply of a broad range of professional and business services to the international maritime community, accounting for 21per cent of premiums in international marine insurance, over $64bn in committed ship finance (or 15per cent of the world loan book) and it has the largest concentration of legal service firms specialising in the sector.  London is also the predominant supplier of shipbroking services worldwide and is the major player when it comes to maritime dispute resolution. London is also home to the second biggest port in the UK. For more information, please visit www.londoninternationalshippingweek.com

To put it simply, an insurance broker is a professional adviser who represents you, the consumer, not the insurance company. Their main goal is to find you the best insurance policy for your needs by comparing different rates, coverage features and companies. 

You may be asking what the benefit is in using an insurance broker rather than an insurance agent who works for a specific company. To begin, an insurance broker works on your behalf, finding you the best package and price, whereas an agent has ties to the specific company they work for and can only offer you a policy with that company. 

An insurance broker can also help you as an individual or your business in evaluating what type(s) of insurance is needed. For example, if a business is looking for insurance, a broker will offer expert advice regarding the risks associated with the particular business and will have access to various insurance policies, benefits and any possible exclusions. 

So ask yourself 'What is an Insurance Broker?' and 'Do I Need an Insurance Broker?'  

Having the right insurance coverage relieves any unnecessary stress if you are faced with an accident, illness, or liability claim. Because there are many types of policies, premiums and limitations, you can get easily confused or possibly wind up with insurance that doesn't offer you enough coverage. This is where an insurance broker is invaluable. 

A full-service insurance broker deals with various types of insurance, including full-time and short-term private medical insurance, disability income protection, property and liability insurance, group, travel and life insurance, among others. Your insurance broker will help explain insurance “lingo” and determine the best carrier for your budget, circumstances and coverage needs.

MHG is a well-known full-service brokerage company that works for you, the client. With plans specifically designed to meet the needs of marine officers, crew, contractors, expatriates, US residents and business owners. They will research which insurance plan will work best for you or your business, they will build a relationship with you, and they will continue to be involved after you make your insurance purchase. 

MHG is known for offering sound advice when a client has questions pertaining to their policy or the claims process. The company also understands the unique needs of individuals or groups at sea. If you are in need of full-time medical insurance, life, travel, disability, group insurance or a different type of policy, an experienced and trusted insurance broker will cut through the red tape and find the best rate and policy available.  

Whether you are on land or at sea, MHG’s resources, professionalism and expertise have earned them the reputation of distinguished insurance brokers, with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Cote d’Azur, Isle of Man, and Hamburg to better serve you.