The rise of gamification apps is empowering seafarers to take more autonomy over their health and wellness, says leading wellbeing platform WellAtSea, member of OneCare Group.

Mental health remains one of the most under-addressed risks in the maritime industry and silence is costing lives, productivity, and safety. Latest data shows only 5-10% of eligible employees use traditional mental health helplines or employee assistance programmes each year, leaving the vast majority unsupported.

For many seafarers speaking openly about mental or physical health challenges is difficult, especially as the majority of crew members are male who traditionally find expressing their emotions harder, says WellAtSea. The problem is compounded by what Dr. Thomas Pickering termed White Coat Hypertension Syndrome, a fear of clinical settings that can trigger elevated blood pressure and deter individuals from seeking professional support altogether.

At sea, where stress, isolation, fatigue and depression can escalate faster than in shore-based roles, avoidance is not just a personal issue, it is an operational risk, says Managing Director Gisa Paredes. Crews must feel safe, supported, and empowered to speak up.

WellAtSea is redefining how wellbeing is delivered onboard by using gamification to break down barriers, spark engagement, and foster genuine human connection. Rather than relying on reactive helplines that often go unused, the programme embeds wellbeing directly into daily life at sea, making it accessible, engaging, and stigma-free.

“WellAtSea was designed to befriend the user and help them understand themselves and their own health states. The idea is to raise awareness, change behaviour, and become proactive about one’s health instead of avoiding it altogether,” said Ms Paredes.

The impact goes beyond individual wellbeing, she added.

Gamification encourages crew to earn wellness coins, participate in team challenges, engage in physical activity, manage stress, and take part in structured conversations about mental health, all within a positive, collaborative framework. Each programme is tailored to the client’s operational realities and crew culture.

“Happiness leads to better performance, which makes operations safer overall.” she added.

In an industry where safety is paramount, wellbeing can no longer be treated as an optional extra. It is a strategic imperative and gamification is proving to be one of the most powerful tools to deliver it.