Deaths at sea


The RMT transport union has called for employer action after highlighting research revealing that 18% of deaths at sea could be connected to suicide. 


The union pointed to a study from the International Maritime Health journal which estimated around 6% of deaths at sea are connected to suicide. 


This figure rises to more than 18% when “suspicious” deaths that were possibly suicides were included. 


The union reports a dramatic increase during the Covid pandemic in the numbers of seafarers who suffer from severe depression, estimated at 25%. 


General secretary Mick Lynch called on employers to identify the problem by encouraging reporting, identifying behaviours and identifying ways to help.