The renewed crew-change crisis as a result of Covid-19 surges in countries such as India is driving seafarers to potentially take ever more desperate measures.

This is the view of Sophia Onken, a partner and clinical psychologist at Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), which provides round-the-clock help to those on board vessels.

She told TradeWinds that the MHSS team has seen an increase in crew members telling their employers or colleagues they could take drastic action if they are unable to leave their ships — including jumping overboard.