Maritime Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Aggression Tendencies in Seafarers
- Prateek Khanna
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
While I have not sailed much myself, my life and work have been deeply intertwined with the maritime world. Through my years of involvement with DMECA, DMET Club, and MarineX, I have had the privilege of listening to countless stories from the sea — stories of courage, isolation, resilience, and, at times, silent struggles.
These conversations have given me a window into the human side of shipping — beyond the steel of the vessels and the numbers in the cargo holds. They have helped me understand that while technology, regulations, and seamanship are vital, the emotional and psychological well-being of seafarers is equally critical.
It is with this perspective that I share this blog, based on a powerful study on aggression tendencies among seafarers. My hope is that this reflection may help some of our brothers and sisters at sea — and those ashore who support them — to better understand the hidden pressures onboard and find ways to navigate them together.
The Hidden Storm: Why Aggression at Sea Matters
The maritime industry is the beating heart of global trade. Over 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, carried by an invisible workforce of seafarers who spend months away from home, navigating unpredictable waters, stringent operational requirements, and the complex dynamics of life at sea.
While technology and regulatory frameworks have made vessels safer and operations more efficient, they have also created a new set of psychological pressures on the men and women who operate these ships. Beyond technical skills and seamanship, the mental health and interpersonal behaviour of crew members have emerged as critical determinants of safety, productivity, and harmony onboard.
One of the most significant — yet often overlooked — aspects of seafarer psychology is aggression tendency. Aggression at sea is not merely a behavioural concern; it’s a safety issue, an operational challenge, and a factor that can influence morale, retention, and overall efficiency.
This blog draws from the in-depth research study "Maritime Psychology: A Study on Evaluation of Seafarers’ Aggression Tendencies" by Mesut Can Köseoğlu, Oktay Çetin, and Fatma Anı Yıldırım, published in the Dokuz Eylül University Maritime Faculty Journal (Vol. 14, Issue 1, 2022). We will unpack the causes, patterns, and impact of aggression among seafarers, supported by practical examples and strategies for prevention.
Why Aggression at Sea Matters
On land, if workplace tensions boil over, people can walk away, take a day off, or change environments. At sea, there is no escape — crew members live and work in the same confined space for months.
Small misunderstandings, cultural differences, or stressful situations can rapidly escalate when there is no outlet or separation. Aggression in this context is dangerous because:
It erodes trust between crew members, leading to poor teamwork.
It can delay decision-making in critical moments.
It may compromise safety protocols, especially during emergencies.
It increases mental fatigue, which in turn can lead to more mistakes.
Aggression can take multiple forms:
Physical Aggression — direct attempts to harm another person.
Verbal Aggression — insults, yelling, or harsh criticism.
Passive Aggression — deliberate procrastination, ignoring instructions, or subtle sabotage.
Emotional Aggression — mood swings, hypersensitivity to feedback, or silent hostility.
For example:
A Chief Officer might react harshly to a cadet’s mistake, damaging the cadet’s confidence and creating long-term resentment.
During a high-pressure port call, a miscommunication between the deck and engine teams could trigger a shouting match in front of port authorities, undermining professionalism.
Crew members from different cultures might misinterpret each other’s communication style, causing unnecessary tension.
The New Reality of Seafaring — More Pressure Than Ever
The study highlights that today’s seafarers face greater psychological demands than previous generations, due to several intertwined factors:
1. Technological Transformation
Automation and digital navigation tools have reduced physical workload but increased mental workload. Crew members must now maintain high levels of concentration and handle advanced systems — any lapse in judgment can have catastrophic consequences.
2. Stricter Regulatory Compliance
With SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW amendments, and the Maritime Labour Convention in force, non-compliance can result in heavy fines, detentions, or reputational damage. This increases the mental pressure on officers responsible for audits and inspections.
3. Cultural and Language Diversity
Most ships today operate with multinational crews. While this diversity enriches the environment, it can also cause misunderstandings and differing interpretations of authority, which may fuel aggression if not managed sensitively.
4. Leaner Manning Levels
Economic constraints mean fewer crew members are expected to handle more tasks. This leads to fatigue, which is strongly correlated with irritability and aggression.
Understanding the Aggression Triggers
The research identifies both personal and environmental triggers for aggression onboard.
Personal Triggers
Personality traits (e.g., low tolerance for mistakes)
Poor emotional regulation skills
Previous negative experiences at sea
Stress from family issues back home
Environmental Triggers
Long working hours without adequate rest
Poor leadership style (e.g., overly authoritarian or absent)
Lack of recreational facilities
Frequent schedule changes or unexpected operational demands
Real-World Case Scenarios
To illustrate how aggression can manifest, here are three realistic onboard scenarios inspired by the study:
Case 1: The Engine Room Dispute
A junior engineer delays routine maintenance due to conflicting tasks. The Chief Engineer, under pressure to pass an inspection, publicly reprimands him. The exchange escalates into repeated verbal clashes, creating tension that affects the entire engineering team’s coordination during drills.
Case 2: The Mess Room Divide
Two cultural groups aboard a vessel begin sitting separately during meals after a disagreement over work allocation. Over weeks, the lack of interaction solidifies mistrust, leading to passive resistance when cooperation is needed.
Case 3: Port Operation Pressure
During a short port stay, a miscommunication about cargo loading causes delays. Tempers flare, accusations are made, and the deck and engine teams stop exchanging critical updates, risking further operational errors.
Key Findings from the Study
The research used detailed surveys from seafarers across various vessel types, ranks, and nationalities. Some notable findings include:
Rank and Aggression: Senior officers have more decision-making stress but also better-developed conflict resolution skills. Junior crew members may display higher aggression due to inexperience.
Age Factor: Younger seafarers showed higher aggression scores, possibly due to less maturity in handling stress.
Impact of Fatigue: Ships with tighter port turnaround times had crews reporting higher irritability levels.
Role of Cultural Misunderstandings: Language barriers and differing communication norms were frequent conflict triggers.
Strategies for Managing and Reducing Aggression
Addressing aggression requires a proactive, multi-layered approach:
Training in Emotional Intelligence (EI): Officers and crew should learn to recognize emotional triggers, regulate responses, and maintain composure.
Conflict Resolution Workshops: Role-playing and scenario-based training can help crew practice diffusing tension before it escalates.
Fatigue Management: Implementing adequate rest periods and realistic workloads to reduce irritability.
Cultural Awareness Programs: Providing cultural sensitivity training to minimise misunderstandings.
Leadership Development: Senior officers should receive specialised training in crew psychology and people management.
Conclusion: The Human Element Is the True Compass
The shipping industry invests millions in equipment maintenance, navigation systems, and safety training. Yet the most complex and unpredictable component remains the human factor.
Aggression at sea is not just about personal temperament — it’s shaped by the unique pressures of the maritime environment. Left unchecked, it can erode teamwork, jeopardize safety, and damage mental well-being.
By understanding the triggers, recognising early signs, and cultivating a shipboard culture of respect, empathy, and professionalism, the industry can steer towards not just safer voyages — but healthier, more resilient crews.
Disclaimer
This blog is based on the research article "Maritime Psychology: A Study on Evaluation of Seafarers’ Aggression Tendencies" authored by Mesut Can Köseoğlu, Oktay Çetin, and Fatma Anı Yıldırım, published in the Dokuz Eylül University Maritime Faculty Journal (Vol. 14, Issue 1, 2022, pp. 26–50, DOI: 10.18613/deudfd.1130265). The interpretations and examples provided here are intended to make the study’s findings accessible to a wider audience of maritime professionals, educators, and students. For a complete and precise understanding, readers are encouraged to consult the original research.
📎 The full PDF of the study is attached for further reading and deeper exploration of the methodology, statistical analysis, and data interpretation.
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