Y.CO and ISWAN launch 24-hour yacht crew helpline

Y.CO is partnering with the International Seafarer’s Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) to increase the availability of mental wellbeing support on board superyachts.

Y.CO will be working with ISWAN to provide a free, anonymous, multilingual support helpline for all yacht crew as part of the charity’s ‘Yacht Crew Help’ toolkit. Co-Founder and Chairman of Y.CO, Gary Wright comments: “The yachting industry owes a lot to captains and crew, without whom it would not function. When I was told about this fantastic initiative I didn’t have to think twice before offering our backing, as I know that it will make such a difference to the lives of so many people working on board.”

Recently published results from a mental health and wellbeing survey conducted by the Superyacht Group have shown that there has been an unprecedented increase in mental health issues at work on board from 49% in 2019 to 64% this year.

“Mental wellbeing is an issue that is gaining more awareness, yet for those who work away at sea, often isolated from family and friends for many months at a time, it can be difficult for yacht crew to access the types of support we take for granted on shore. By partnering with ISWAN to launch Yacht Crew Help, we hope we can change that,” continues Wright.

The Yacht Crew Help toolkit will launch on 24 November, providing useful health and welfare resources to yacht crew, as well as the confidential 24-hour emotional support helpline manned by professional, skilled staff trained in providing the necessary help required.

Support will be available, free of charge, via a range of methods including phone, live web-chat, email and call back request, to ensure crew can speak to someone that understands at any time, wherever they are in the world.