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Guests:

• Captain Brendan O’Shannassy – Superyacht Captain and maritime safety advocate
• Laura Beard – Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

“Mental health is health. It’s just the same.” Brendan O’Shannassy

Hosts:

• Julia Gosling – Host, Sea Views Podcast
• Adam Parnell – Director, CHIRP Maritime

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and practical episode of Sea Views, we explore the vital topic of mental health and welfare in the yacht crew sector.
Julia and Adam are joined by returning guest Captain Brendan O’Shannassy and ISWAN’s Laura Beard to discuss the unique pressures faced by superyacht crew, and how industry-wide change can make life at sea safer and more sustainable for everyone on board.

“There’s no judgment on YachtCrewHelp - we’re here for any crew, at any rank.” Laura Beard

Brendan reflects on leadership, fatigue, and the silent strain of command, while Laura shares insights from ISWAN’s helpline Yacht Crew Help, including why many yacht crew don’t initially see themselves as seafarers—and what’s being done to change that.

Key Topics:

• What defines the large yacht sector and who’s working in it
• How mental health is deeply linked to crew safety and performance
• Why perception of the “glamorous” yacht lifestyle often hides the challenges
• Common issues reported to YachtCrewHelp and how the service responds
• The importance of psychological safety, empathy, and leadership onboard
• Awareness campaigns and support for crew at all ranks, from junior to captain

Resources Mentioned:

• YachtCrewHelp (ISWAN): www.iswan.org.uk/yachtcrewhelp/
  A free, 24/7 confidential helpline for all yacht crew, worldwide.

Edited by powwowpodcasts.com

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

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In this compelling episode of Sea Views, Julia and Adam sit down with Daniel Smith, founder of the charity NeurodiversAtSea, to explore what neurodiversity really means in the maritime world—and why it's time the industry took notice.

Together, they unpack:

• What neurodiversity is and why it matters
• How life at sea can both challenge and empower neurodivergent individuals
• The business case for neurodiversity—productivity, innovation, and retention
• The realities of recruitment and how small changes can open big doors
• Daniel’s personal journey and what inspired him to launch NeurodiversAtSea

Whether you're in HR, onboard, or in the boardroom, this episode will make you rethink how your teams work—and what untapped talent might already be on your radar.

Key Takeaways

• Neurodiversity isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a competitive advantage.
• Simple changes to recruitment and workplace culture can create space for exceptional talent.
• The maritime sector is uniquely placed to lead the way in inclusive employment at sea.

About Our Guest

Daniel Smith is the founder of NeurodiversAtSea, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of neurodiversity within the maritime sector and supporting neurodivergent individuals in their careers at sea. A passionate advocate with lived experience, Daniel is committed to reshaping the future of maritime workplaces—one conversation at a time.

Resources & Links

Learn more about NeurodiversAtSea:LINK

NeurodiversAtSea partnered with Seafarers Hospital Society and The Seafarers' Charity to offer grants for UK based seafarers to access assessments for a range of conditions. Find out more at LINK or email admin@seahospital.org.uk

Sea Views podcast by Ahoy Communications Ltd and editing by powowpodcasts.com

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

Ensuring Safety in Offshore Energy: Industry Insights and Future Challenges.

In this episode of the Sea Views podcast, Graham Skinner of Offshore Energies UK and Pete Lowson from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency discuss safety practices in the offshore oil, gas, and wind industries. They delve into the industry’s safety records, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and the impact of new technologies such as AI and autonomous vessels.

NEWSFLASH! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

The conversation highlights the significant employment numbers in these sectors, the shared lessons from past incidents, and future challenges, including climate change and the increasing complexity of managing offshore operations. Both Graham and Pete emphasise the critical importance of continuous improvement, training, and adaptation to ensure safety in these rapidly developing industries.

Topics discussed:

Overview of the Offshore Energy Industry

Safety Records and Improvements

Sharing Safety Lessons Across Sectors

Exercises and Training in Offshore Safety

Differences Between Oil, Gas, and Renewables

Future Challenges, Security and Technological Innovations

Climate Change and Severe Weather

The Future of Oil and Gas in the North Sea

Supporting Maritime Workers

Maritime & Coastguard Agency web site

Offshore Energies UK web site

Sea Views podcast by Ahoy Communications Ltd and editing by powowpodcasts.com

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd