The maritime industry has long relied on cadets and trainees to replenish its workforce and sustain global trade. Yet the environment confronting today’s young seafarers is markedly different from that experienced by previous generations. Digital connectivity, social media pressures, evolving expectations around wellbeing, and a shifting workplace culture are reshaping the experience of life at sea.
The newly released 2025/26 Cadet Report from global maritime charity Sailors’ Society offers a detailed snapshot of these changes, drawing on insights gathered from more than 9,000 cadets, trainees and ratings who participated in the organisation’s global Wellness at Sea Conferences.
Looking at ‘the first digital seafarer generation’, this fourth Cadet Report from Sailors’ Society contains unique data collected from conference attendees from 30 countries.
Over the past five years, more than 30,000 cadets, trainees and seafarers have participated in the charity’s Wellness at Sea Conferences, creating one of the largest datasets on the attitudes and wellbeing of young maritime professionals from the Indian subcontinent, Africa, South East Asia, China, and the UK and Europe.
This 2025/26 report builds on previous insights and explores the inner world of young seafarers: their digital lives, mental health awareness, and perceptions of safety and support at sea.
The results highlight a generation that is highly connected and increasingly conscious of wellbeing issues - but one that is also exposed to new forms of stress and pressure.
Reliable internet has become a defining feature of modern seafaring. The report highlights that for those embarking on their first voyages, connectivity is more than a convenience; it can be a critical support mechanism for maintaining relationships with family and accessing resources while at sea.
Sailors’ Society CEO, Sara Baade, said: “Many respondents said access to Wi-Fi helps them stay positive during long voyages by enabling regular communication with loved ones and allowing them to unwind through entertainment or social media. For a profession defined by long periods of isolation, the ability to remain digitally connected has become an important contributor to morale and wellbeing.”
However, the report points to a more complex reality.
While connectivity can reduce isolation, it also introduces new forms of psychological pressure. Social media platforms encourage users to present idealised versions of their lives, which can lead to comparison and anxiety, particularly among young people still establishing their identities and careers.
In South East Asia, 78 per cent of cadets and trainees said they sometimes feel pressure to appear happy or successful online, while the figure rose to 83 per cent among respondents in China. In contrast, only 35 per cent of those from the Indian subcontinent reported similar pressures, suggesting that cultural and regional factors have a large influence.
Screen time patterns also varied widely. Large proportions of respondents in the UK, Europe and South East Asia reported spending more than three hours online every day, with higher levels of screen use linked to increased perceptions of digital ‘addiction’.
The report explains that connectivity itself is not the problem; the challenge lies in how digital behaviour shapes mental wellbeing and on board culture.
Alongside social media pressure, the research highlights the emergence of online stress and cyberbullying as issues within the maritime environment.
Sara explained: “More than half of respondents in South East Asia and China reported experiencing stress or anxiety linked to online interactions while at sea. Meanwhile, more than half of seafarers from the UK, Europe and South East Asia said they had witnessed or experienced cyberbullying or negative behaviour online”.
Yet, despite these concerns, most respondents still viewed internet access positively overall. Across all regions, the majority said connectivity had either a positive or neutral effect on their mental wellbeing.
“Our report suggests that this duality, where digital platforms simultaneously provide support and create pressure, is a defining feature of the first digital seafarer generation,” Sara added.
Another notable trend is the increasing role of digital platforms in mental health support. When asked which online resources they would turn to first if feeling mentally unwell, many respondents cited YouTube, music or social media rather than formal counselling services.
This reflects a broader shift among younger generations toward informal, digital-first sources of information and emotional support.
One of the most striking findings in the report is the growing importance of peer support networks among cadets and trainees.
Across multiple regions, respondents ranked fellow seafarers - particularly those of similar rank - as the people they would most likely turn to when facing mental health challenges. In the UK and Europe, peer groups emerged as the top source of support, ahead of instructors, mentors or helplines.
This development marks a significant evolution from previous years. Earlier research emphasised the need to raise awareness of professional mental health resources. The 2025/26 data suggests that young seafarers are increasingly comfortable both seeking and providing support among their peers.
The report argues that these informal networks can play a vital role in building resilience at sea, especially when supported by structured programmes such as peer support groups or trained on board wellbeing officers, both of which form part of Sailors’ Society’s comprehensive Circle of Care for seafarers.
Beyond digital life, the report explores how prepared young seafarers feel to manage the psychological demands of maritime work.
The report also addresses a long-standing issue within the maritime industry: bullying and harassment.
First-hand accounts included in the research highlight how hierarchical structures, long voyages and isolation can make it difficult for cadets to challenge inappropriate behaviour, particularly when it involves senior officers.
Survey results reveal that although many cadets are aware of their rights under maritime law, confidence in reporting incidents remains uneven.
For example, 72 per cent of respondents from the Indian subcontinent said they would feel safe reporting harassment, compared with only 43 per cent of those in the UK and Europe. The latter group also recorded the highest levels of fear of retaliation and scepticism about whether complaints would be taken seriously.
Sara explained: “The report concludes that knowledge alone is not enough. Even where policies exist, young seafarers must trust that reporting mechanisms are fair, confidential and effective.”
A recurring theme throughout the report is the generational shift taking place within maritime.
“Today’s cadets place greater emphasis on mental health, inclusivity and work-life balance than previous generations. At the same time, they are entering an industry that still retains strong hierarchies and traditions.
“This cultural tension can create friction, but also presents an opportunity. As these cadets progress through their careers, they will eventually become the officers and Captains responsible for shaping the culture on board ships.”
Many of the report’s contributors argue that this transition could lead to a more supportive and open maritime environment, provided the industry listens to the voices of its newest members.
The 2025/26 Cadet Report concludes with a clear message: the future of maritime safety and wellbeing will depend not only on technology, but also on how the industry supports its people.
“Ultimately, the report portrays a generation that is both vulnerable and resilient. Cadets today face new forms of pressure from social media comparisons to the psychological strain of constant connectivity, but they also demonstrate a strong awareness of wellbeing and a willingness to support one another,” Sara added.
“As the maritime industry grapples with crew shortages and rapid technological change, understanding and responding to the needs of this digital generation will be critical.”
The voices captured in the report send a clear message: when young seafarers feel connected, supported and respected, they are more likely to thrive at sea - and to remain in the profession long enough to lead it into the future.
Sailors’ Society’s 2025/6 Cadet Report ‘The first digital seafarer generation’ can be downloaded at sailors-society.org/the-first-digital-seafarer-generation-report/
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