INTERTANKO Guide to

Cyber Wellness at Sea 9

 INTERTANKO Guide to
Cyber Wellness at Sea

© INTERTANKO 2019

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Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct,
neither the authors nor INTERTANKO can accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions or any
consequences resulting therefrom.

No reliance should be placed on the information or advice contained in this publication without
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Distribution or reproduction of this publication is strictly prohibited unless prior

authorisation has been granted by INTERTANKO.

V1 – September 2019
Cyber Wellness at Sea

Introduction
Seafarers, like most non-seafarers in today’s world, are used to an almost constant connection to the internet
and each other via social media and communication applications (i.e. apps). Pre-existing alternative means of
communication with the outside world that were available to crew seem inconvenient, archaic, unreliable,
limiting and too costly for most modern seafarers. As such, life at sea without internet connectivity can affect
a seafarer’s perceived quality of life and increase feelings of isolation, loneliness and disconnection with the
world outside.

Shipowners and operators are realising that having access to the internet on board a ship can help with
attracting new talent, retaining existing crew and for training in compliance with regulatory requirements
as well as other applications. Shipowners and operators are also fast learning that “connectivity” is now not
only enabling crew communications and welfare, but enabling a wider digital operation that enhances their
competitiveness1.

As these technological advancements become more common and affordable, the positive influence they give
to both the seafarer as well as ship owners and operators through the business opportunities they offer must
be balanced against the risks associated with the unique human element factors that affect seafarers who live
and work in a relatively isolated environment over extended time periods.

‘Cyber wellness’ refers to the positive wellbeing of internet users. It requires a clear understanding of positive
and constructive behaviour and awareness to protect oneself online. Cyber wellness also ties into the general
concept of wellness for all seafarers and involves an understanding of healthy online behaviour and awareness
of how to use the internet and mobile devices responsibly whilst onboard a vessel.

Benefits and considerations

It is important to look at the benefits and considerations when implementing shipboard internet connectivity.
The following are some of the key benefits to crew:

1.  Easy, convenient and economical communication with family, through chat apps, video conferencing,
and other social networking websites;

2.  Emergencies and important information at home can be immediately communicated. This can allow
key decisions to be made, reassurances to be provided, the provision of support and the sharing of
important events;

3.  Easy access for personal and/or professional development;

4.  Online banking and personal financial management;

5.  Helping to alleviate isolation, improve crew morale and mood;

6.  Provides the ability to keep up to date with world events;

7.  Serves as a backup line of communication alongside the ship’s official emailing system if needed; and

8.  Raises the crew’s computer literacy through usage, enabling better interaction with automated systems.

Although there are considerable benefits as set out in the points above, the costs that seafarers may incur due
to incorrect use of internet connectivity should not be underestimated.

2 INTERTANKO Guide to Cyber Wellness at Sea, 2019

 Benefits and considerations

The following are some of the main considerations, especially when internet access is not properly managed:

1.  If the crew choose to access the internet and/or use their mobile devices during work hours during watch, repairs
and operations etc, this can diminish concentration and focus on job-specific tasks, affecting overall productivity
and safety;

2.  If the crew consistently compromise their rest hours by choosing to access the internet for entertainment and/or
communication instead of sleeping, this will ultimately increase fatigue levels and affect work productivity, personal
and crew safety;

3.  Reduced onboard social interaction. The advent of laptops and mobile devices has resulted in a reduction in crew
members socialising with each other. The lack of this onboard social interaction and engagement in recreational
activities can increase the sense of isolation from fellow shipmates that a seafarer experiences, reduce teamwork
interaction, prevent language and cultural barriers from being bridged and prevent seafarers from benefiting from
the comradery that would otherwise ensue. Internet access could compound this existing situation;

4. Inappropriate use – and ways that this can be managed, include:

i) Education – so that seafarers understand that posting photographs of shipboard activity into the public domain
could result in an unnecessary and potentially negative public relations environment for the shipowner and for
themselves;

ii) Filters – although there may be inbuilt filters in the system, it is important to help crew members understand
the legal risks and dangers of accessing, downloading and retaining adult-only or illegal content to both
themselves and the company; and

iii) Offensive material – some seafarers may vent their frustrations through offensive posts on social media.
Seafarers will be able to do this at the height of their emotions and at times without consideration of all the
facts and even consequences;

5. Increased distraction. Constant connectivity also means that seafarers can be contacted by family members at any
time. This could result in them becoming affected by news, worries, problems and conflicts that may be troubling
family and friends. Issues that are not easily sorted out can increase mental distraction, raise feelings of helplessness
and have a detrimental effect on mood. This affects a seafarer’s wellness and compromises productivity and safety;
and

6. Social media/mobile addiction. For many, internet-enabled mobile devices and computers are a main source
of recreation, connection to family and friends and managing their lives. This unfortunately has also led to an
unhealthy over-reliance and even addiction to devices and the media they access. This can lead to those devices
being a constant source of distraction from work and creating an urge to continually want to access and use the
internet.

This guidance, Cyber Wellness at Sea, is designed to provide practical considerations for shipowners initiating a shipboard
internet system. It is entirely up to the crew and onboard management to ensure that by providing access to the internet,
it is used in a positive way, i.e. for the wellbeing of seafarers.

INTERTANKO Guide to Cyber Wellnes at Sea, 2019 3

Cyber Wellness at Sea

Cyber Wellness
Three primary principles of cyber wellness, when adhered to, will help seafarers mitigate the associated risks
and get the most benefit from the internet while at sea:

1.  ‘Respect for self and others’;

2.  ‘Safe and responsible use’; and

3.  ‘Manage non-work screen time’.

(1) Respect for self and others

Seafarers should:

• respect themselves by only sharing appropriate content and participating only in legal online activities;

• respect other people online (e.g. putting themselves in others’ shoes, accepting diverse views and
opinions, giving credit when using other people’s work, seeking permission where necessary, avoiding
sharing hurtful materials);

• remember that exclusion from discussion groups could be viewed as discriminatory;

• be a positive role model online (e.g. sharing healthy and positive content); and

• advocate positive online behaviour (e.g. standing up for peers online, reporting cases of cyber bullying
to a trusted adult/authority, posting encouraging remarks on social media).

(2) Safe and Responsible Use

Seafarers should:

• understand that the safe and efficient completion of the important work they do onboard requires
full concentration and awareness - this means that they should get sufficient rest every day (as per the
company’s work/rest policy) and ensure that they are free from unnecessary distractions whilst at work;

• understand that internet-connected mobile devices increase one’s social connectedness but can also be
a constant source of distraction;

• understand and apply basic best practices for internet security; and

• ensure that the mobile device is not used in a hazardous environment nor interferes with their work.

Companies should ensure that all of their seafarers understand and apply each company’s practices for internet
security and note the industry Guidelines on Cyber Security onboard Ships.

The following are some basic best practices that seafarers should consider in the use of personal devices as well
as interfacing those personal devices with shipboard systems:

• Passwords. Change personal device passwords periodically, use complex passwords; do not reuse
passwords; do not share passwords with anyone; do not use labels with passwords at terminals;

• USB drives and other personal devices. Apply the company policies for the use of all personal
devices;

• Install, register and renew antivirus, antispyware and firewall packages on personal devices;

4 INTERTANKO Guide to Cyber Wellness at Sea, 2019

 Summary

• Be suspicious of external downloads and emails on your personal and work-related devices;

• Do not leave personal or shipboard devices unlocked and open while unattended;

• Be careful with unsecured Wi-Fi. Only use your company’s private Wi-Fi network.

(3) Manage Off Work Screen Time

“Screen time” is the time spent each day using devices with screens. These devices include televisions (TVs),
video consoles, smartphones and tablets. Screen time can be:

• interactive – for example, playing video games, communicating;

• not interactive – for example, sitting still and watching movies, TV programmes or YouTube videos;

• educational – for example, doing personal or professional development online; or

• recreational – for example, playing games or watching videos for fun.

There are both benefits and risks to using these devices. A healthy cyber usage lifestyle includes limits on daily
screen time. Limits mean making sure that usage doesn’t get in the way of sleep and activities that are also
good for seafarers’ overall wellbeing.

Seafarers should take personal responsibility to self-manage how and when they access their devices as well as
make wise and healthy choices (e.g. maintain a healthy balance of online and offline activities).

This can be achieved by limiting non-work screen time, making mealtimes free of TVs, smartphones and other
screens, using the time during TV ads to be physically active, engaging fellow crew mates in conversation or
activities whilst onboard and limiting socialising on social media or texting. Ships also need to be equipped with
other forms of entertainment and activities that promote other forms of social and personal wellbeing. There
needs to be much greater education around what the safe levels of screen time are and more programmes are
needed to encourage seafarers to unplug and get involved in other social and recreational activities.

Summary
Shipowners and operators may already be aware of the benefits to providing internet access for seafarers and
allowing them to remain connected to family, friends and the world at large, but with such benefits also come
risks, both to the seafarer as well as to the company, if not properly managed.

We hope that this guide has shed some light on the relevant human element issues and risks associated with
regular access to the internet. As this shipboard technology evolves, so will the human factors and related
challenges in managing their associated risks.

INTERTANKO Guide to Cyber Wellnes at Sea, 2019 5

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