Working at sea is demanding, both physically and mentally. As vessels become increasingly automated, crews are also getting smaller, placing even greater demands on those who remain. As a result, rest and recovery are becoming increasingly important. A new pre-study from Lighthouse has investigated what seafarers consider most important in creating a living environment that promotes well-being at sea.

Historically, crew accommodations have been shaped by economic considerations, technological limitations, and clear onboard hierarchies. For a long time, maximizing cargo capacity was a priority, resulting in small and basic living quarters for crew members. However, as technology has advanced and requirements for safety, health, and hygiene have increased, accommodation standards have gradually improved. Today, at least most Swedish shipping companies place great importance on employee well-being—not least at a time when recruiting and retaining skilled personnel has become increasingly difficult.

“Despite this, no studies have been conducted specifically on the design of crew living spaces. Existing research has focused on passenger areas on cruise ships,” says Monica Lundh, a researcher at Chalmers University of Technology and lead investigator of the pre-study Reside and Live Onboard – What Is Important for the Well-Being and Comfort of the Crew?

At the initiative of Lighthouse and the Swedish Seamen’s House Foundation (which funded the study), the researchers set out to investigate what contributes to crew satisfaction and well-being. What creates a functional living and leisure environment at sea? To answer these questions, eight crew members were interviewed. Based on their responses, six key aspects of onboard life were identified: privacy, personal space, comfort, social opportunities, health, and technology.

So what did the respondents consider most important?

“Internet access. It is extremely important, not least for staying in touch with family and friends. And when it comes to cabins, sleep quality is crucial. Cabins should be quiet, properly darkened, and kept cool. The bunk also has to be long enough. A bed measuring 200 centimetres can sometimes be a bit tight for tall Scandinavians if the bunk has bulkheads at both the head and foot ends.”

Most Scandinavians working in the maritime sector today generally enjoy relatively good conditions. However, several interviewees with many years of experience at sea had encountered less favourable environments in the past.

“Shipping is a hierarchical organization—that can never be completely avoided—but in the past this hierarchy was reflected in the design. There used to be a crew mess, an officers’ mess, and even a separate dining area for the captain, chief officer, and chief engineer. It reinforced an ‘us and them’ mentality.”

Today, community and social interaction are considered much more important, something particularly emphasized by the senior officers interviewed in the study. Common areas are increasingly designed around activities rather than rank. There may be one room for coffee and conversation, another for video games and karaoke, and another for card games.

“There was a strong consensus regarding the value of having a proper gym and a sauna onboard. Even people who do not enjoy lifting weights appreciate the opportunity to use a treadmill. It is also important that the gym is well located and offers a view through a window while exercising. Crew members also see it as a social gathering place, where they can, for example, enjoy the sauna together. It is important to encourage people to leave their cabins,” says Monica Lundh.

At the same time, crew members expressed a desire to personalize their cabins—by putting up photographs, bringing in real plants, or creating a stronger feeling of home. Another issue raised was the need for both male and female changing rooms, which are often lacking onboard today.

The crew’s preferences have been translated into concrete design proposals presented in the report through 2D layouts and 3D visualizations. Cabins, lounges, hobby spaces, and wellness facilities resemble bright and attractive holiday accommodations far more than the dark and cramped work environments often associated with life at sea. Importantly, these improvements do not necessarily require higher costs.

“For example, light-coloured interiors are no more expensive than dark ones. Much of it comes down to planning and considering these issues early in the vessel design process,” says Monica Lundh.

Reside and Live Onboard – What Is Important for the Well-Being and Comfort of the Crew? was authored by:
Monica Lundh
Nicole Costa
Scott MacKinnon
John Hallgren

In colaboration with
Chalmers School of Maritime Studies
Chalmers Department of Mechanical Engineering
RISE Maritime
Stena Teknik
Furetank
Donsötank
Figura Arkitekter (Figura Architects)