Bibby Marine signs up to protecting marine sector employees

Bibby Marine has put its support behind two key initiatives to help protect both the physical and mental wellbeing of marine employees, demonstrating it’s commitment as a responsible business within its sector.

Mental Health in Maritime Pledge

In March Bibby Marine signed a new Mental Health in Maritime pledge, a cross-sector approach to mental health and wellbeing.

It was created by Maritime UK’s Mental Health Network as a way for organisations to share their commitment on this topic and ensure that mental wellbeing is considered at the highest level.

The pledge states “We are committed to improving the quality of mental health and wellbeing provision through action and support, at all levels, throughout our organisation and our industry.”

It requires both a public commitment from leadership, and action. Signatories agree to:

‘Establish working conditions and practices that foster a positive mental health state… dispel the stigma of mental health issues by establishing an open and trusting environment that allows people to listen and talk [and] ensure our workforce have the skills, knowledge, and education to help support individuals whilst working both on land and at sea.’

Richard Garforth, Bibby Marine HR and Training Manager, who signed the pledge said:

“Bibby Marine work collaboratively, and on a  continued basis, with the Mental Health and Maritime Signatories, so it made absolute sense to commit to working together and lead with visible action. We share the view the responsibility of creating mental health awareness starts with maritime leaders and our commitment is to work together in establishing conditions that foster a positive mental state.”

The Neptune Declaration

In February Bibby Marine signed The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change helping resolve a humanitarian crisis at sea.

This declaration aims to improve the current living condition for seafarers and to ensure that the current crew change crisis is quickly resolved.

Bibby Marine is fully committed to the importance of crew wellbeing and have committed to their own, Wellbeing at Sea Programme for crew, in collaboration with The Sailors Society.

As an organisation with over 200 years in the maritime industry Bibby has always encouraged wider protection of seafarer’s rights and had no hesitation in supporting the aims of the declaration.

Seafarers are the frontline workers of the maritime industry carrying 90% of global trade. Fatigue from prolonged periods at sea can detrimentally impact the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers.

It also increases the risk of maritime incidents and environmental disasters, threatening the integrity of global supply chains, which depend on safe and reliable maritime transport.

Currently 450 companies and organisations have joined the declaration and the signatory list is expanding daily.