London International Shipping Week brings the global shipping industry to London every two years, with hundreds of events across the city. On 17 September 2025, during the 2025 week, our founder Daniel Smith presented at an event hosted by West P&I that looked at three closely linked subjects: mental health, neurodiversity and trauma at sea.
P&I clubs see the human side of shipping up close, from crew welfare cases to the incidents and claims that can follow when people are under strain. That makes them important partners in improving the wellbeing and safety of seafarers, and we were glad to be part of the conversation.
What we talked about
Daniel’s presentation focused on neurodiversity. He explained what neurodiversity is, what it means to be neurodivergent in the maritime industry, and the barriers neurodivergent seafarers face, from recruitment and training to disclosure and life on board.
He also spoke about the strengths neurodivergent people bring to the industry, and how employers can make the most of their talent.
Why these subjects belong together
Mental health, neurodiversity and trauma are often discussed separately, but on board they overlap. Neurodivergent seafarers who feel they have to hide who they are, or who are excluded by their crewmates, are more likely to struggle with their mental health. And the pressures of life at sea, such as long contracts, isolation and fatigue, can be harder to manage without the right understanding and support.
Our survey of the industry found that half of neurodivergent respondents believe neurodivergent people are socially excluded at work. Taking neurodiversity seriously is part of taking seafarers’ mental health and safety seriously.
Find out more
If you’re a seafarer looking for support, start with our help for individuals, or see our help now page if you need to talk to someone today. Employers can find out about our training for maritime organisations.
