Traumatic events experienced on board by French Merchant Navy Officer Cadets

Background

Recent papers highlighted psychosocial and occupational risks for merchant seafarers. Officers as an occupational group were on of the most exposed. They are exposed to psychological traumatic events. During their training courses cadets have to embark onboard each year. The aim of this study was to investigate traumatic experiences and risk factors in French merchant Navy cadets.

Methods

Our study is an observational self-report study using an anonymous questionnaire in two time periods. In 2011, analysis of first embarkment period and in 2022 self-administrated questionnaire.

Results

This two-part study highlights frequent exposure to professional situations (19 %) with a risk of psychological impact, particularly post-traumatic stress. The main causes found are related to the conduct of the ship, weather conditions, incidents on board and piracy.

Conclusions

The high rate of exposure to events with high levels of stress and their diversity seems to us to highlight the need for prevention, information, and action on its various sources, but also on all the psychosocial factors to which seafarers are exposed