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Following the launch of ISWAN’s ‘Safe at sea…it takes all of us!’ campaign last year, we spoke to John Beavis, former captain and founder of The Captain’s Coach, about why supporting captains and other senior officers is so important for the safety and wellbeing of the entire crew.

Crew feeling able to speak up when things go wrong without negative repercussions is a critical part of safety culture on board a vessel. Leaders play a key role in building a culture of psychological safety on board – a supportive, nurturing style of leadership rather than an authoritative one will be good for morale and trust, for example. However, as John highlights, ‘although maritime licences allow leaders to operate at sea, technical training is just that. It doesn’t equip them to deal with the leadership challenges they inevitably face.’

John supports captains and other senior officers enabling them to be the best version of themselves and get the best from their teams. In leadership coaching, he not only explores communication, self-awareness and emotional intelligence, but also emphasises that they do not need to have all the answers. So while they hold the title of ‘Captain’ this doesn’t mean they have to be Superman (or Superwoman). He talks about unlocking a different mindset and uses the analogy of a mountaineer reaching the summit of a mountain: ‘When you reach the top you realise the air is thin; your mindset needs to shift as you change your pace and your outlook. Look at the view – see the bigger picture – and give yourself permission to grow. After all leadership is a journey and not a destination.’

He talks about a ‘waterfall effect’ – if captains are looked after, both through self-care and support from their employer, there is a trickle-down effect to the rest of the crew. An exhausted, burnt-out captain is at risk of becoming toxic or begrudging, whereas a captain who protects their own wellbeing and feels supported by their employer can bring their best self to work and create an environment where their crew can communicate openly and honestly and know they will be heard.

As John puts it: ‘A happy captain equals a happy crew which equals a safer ship, and in the case of cruise, a better guest experience.’ John points out that taking care of captains also makes business sense – when an unhappy captain leaves a company, they take with them a vast amount of corporate knowledge and experience (and the knock-on effect means they are sometimes followed by other crew members).

Looking to the future, it is also vital for recruitment and retention that captains and senior officers are equipped with the tools they need to make their company, and the wider industry, both attractive and sustainable.

Either way, valuable talent and strong leaders must be supported and retained, and the next generation should be able to see that there is a safe, inclusive place waiting for them at sea.

Find out more about ISWAN’s ‘Safe at sea…it takes all of us!’ campaign here.