“This quarter’s data should trouble the entire industry,” said Ben Bailey, Director of Programme at The Mission to Seafarers. Shore leave received the lowest score of any category at 5.72, as short port stays, demanding schedules, and restricted terminal access continue to limit opportunities for time ashore. The survey also identified characteristics shared by higher-performing employers, including honoring crew change schedules, providing timely reliefs, offering merit-based promotions, and operating well-maintained vessels. Female respondents reported an average happiness score of 6.06, compared with 7.13 for men. Regionally, respondents operating in the Middle East recorded the lowest average score at 4.94, while container ship crews averaged 5.85, well below the industry-wide average.