Seafarers speak up on diversity

Concerning disparities 

However, the survey also confirmed concerning disparities within the seafarer community, which previous maritime research has highlighted. Women and members of the LGBTQ+ community reported significantly higher rates of experiencing psychological and sexual harassment.

A staggering 50% of women seafarers in the DSG survey said they had experienced psychological harassment in the past year, compared to just 5.6% of the overall seafarer population. Similarly, a quarter of women seafarers reported sexual harassment, versus only 1.7% of all respondents.

While just under 100 of the respondents were women, 'not very many in terms of the full respondent universe, it is significant enough for us to draw some conclusions,' commented Mr Young.

These findings underscore the urgent need for the industry to address the unique challenges faced by under-represented groups at sea.

'It's really telling that both women and lesbian, gay and bisexual seafarers are much more likely to have felt discriminated against,' Mr Young noted. 'We need to look at those middle management positions and the way in which they're interacting with the people around them.'

Training recommendations

One area of concern is the lack of DEI training for seafarers, particularly among more senior ranks. While over 75% of cadets reported receiving DEI training, the numbers dropped significantly for more experienced officers. Mr Young suggests this could be an area for the industry to focus its efforts. 'If we can get that DEI training embedded in the induction programs for younger seafarers, we might start to see that filter through to more seasoned crew over time.'

The survey also revealed nuances in how different seafarer ranks perceive their experiences. Junior crew members were less likely to report feeling discriminated against, perhaps due to the hierarchical nature of life at sea.

'Middle ranks reported a slightly higher level of discrimination. I wonder whether middle ranks are more likely to feel they're suffering discrimination because they have a lot of responsibilities, but they're not in the most senior positions, so it's that kind of pressure rolling downhill, really,' said Mr Young.

Pockets of positivity

Despite these challenges, the survey also uncovered pockets of positivity among the contradictions. Among LGBTQ+ seafarers, 100% reported feeling proud to work for their company and confident in their career progression, even though they were also less likely to feel their contributions were valued.

Young suggests this could be an opportunity for companies to better understand the experiences of this community and address the disconnect.

How the data is used

DSG data gets used in a whole host of different ways by DSG's member organisations. They also have access to a deeper dive into the anonymous aggregated data specific to their organisation. Some use the data to measure how inclusive they are compared to other maritime companies. Others are taking it much further along than just benchmarking, by identifying employee populations whose experience isn't the same as the majority and then taking action. For example, one member company undertook a focus group, which ended up with them changing some of their benefits and policies. Another member is looking at trends year on year to further understand what's really working well for their employees and what works less well.

DSG has also created CREST, a cross-maritime industry mentoring program which will be launching with its first selected cohort for a pilot programme in early 2025.

As the maritime industry continues to grapple with DEI, the DSG survey offers a valuable roadmap for progress, the Zoom meeting heard. By addressing the unique needs of seafarers, particularly women and LGBTQ+ individuals, maritime companies can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. And with the right interventions, such as targeted DEI training and a focus on middle management, the industry can work towards creating a culture where every seafarer feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.