Sailing Together: A Handbook for Seafarers’ Families

Fleet Management collaborated with the International Seafarer Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to create a welfare handbook to support seafarers’ families and maintain their connection to those on board.

Fleet Management Limited’s welfare team Fleet Care partnered with ISWAN to develop an interactive, immersive and informative handbook to support seafarer and family wellbeing called ‘‍

The handbook’s practical guidance and tools are designed to help families sustain communication around seafarer duty hours, maintain emotional connection during long voyages, and support a returning seafarer as the family rebuilds its routine. The guide also provides simple guidance to reduce uncertainty during demanding periods at sea – such as tips for managing finances with clarity, as well as preparing for emergencies.

A Practical Guide Rooted in Experience

Fleet Care and ISWAN created the handbook as a practical resource that responds to the lived experiences of seafarer families. Besides drawing on hundreds of real cases from ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp service and its Family Outreach Programme (FOP), Fleet Care provided guidance based on years of experience in managing welfare initiatives for families, reinforced by internal learning documents. 

The result is a guide that families can use with ease – with activity-based tools such as checklists, reflection prompts and short exercises to support mental health and wellbeing. 

Fleet Management’s emphasis on families reflects its commitment to the holistic welfare of our seafarers. Separation affects the entire household, and families cope better when they have aligned expectations, organised communication and straightforward support mechanisms. When families operate with clarity and confidence, seafarers perform better, make safer decisions and feel grounded during long voyages. It mitigates against onboard issues which can arise when stress, miscommunication or family uncertainty go unmanaged.

Strengthening Family Support on Shore

The handbook is part of a broader system of support that Fleet Care has developed for seafarer families. 

Tea Talks, the company’s in person family forums, create a friendly space for families to meet Fleet Care representatives, learn about daily life on board, share experiences, and develop new skills. These conversations cover medical entitlements, health and nutrition, safety practices and support for managing stress at home during long stretches of separation. Fleet Virtual Meetups maintain momentum throughout the year through moderated digital groups. 

Fleet Management also strengthens community ties through Fleet Family Support Groups (FFSGs). In India alone, these groups bring together nearly nine hundred families and more than six hundred professionals such as doctors, legal advisors and health practitioners who volunteer guidance during stressful situations. Families rely on these networks during medical crises, travel related difficulties and unexpected household challenges. 

Extending Support to the Wider Industry

Director General (DG) of Shipping, Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, joined ISWAN and Fleet Management to launch the handbook at ISWAN’s India Seminar in Mumbai, in December. The seminar’s theme “Attract, Retain, Sustain: Putting Seafarers and Families at the Centre,” emphasised the need for collaboration across the maritime sector to provide strong support for seafarers and their families to improve retention, strengthen operational resilience and enhance safety.

Government representatives at the seminar reaffirmed national commitments to mental health, safety and family welfare, while industry leaders stressed the importance of embedding welfare efforts into long term operational strategies. Fleet Management continues to collaborate with regulators, welfare organisations and partners such as ISWAN to support every stage of the seafarer journey.

The handbook aims to ensure happier families and seafarers by providing clear tools and support to foster a maritime industry that is safer, resilient, and stronger.

Download the handbook here: Click Here ↗