OneCare Group has warned that the risks facing seafarers in the Middle East have risen sharply as the disruption triggered by the conflict at the end of February stretches into a longer and more uncertain phase.
The health and wellbeing company said crews stranded aboard vessels in the region are dealing with extended deployments, restrictions on movement and increasing concern for both their own safety and the wellbeing of their families at home.
Although relations in the region have shown some signs of improvement in recent days, the situation remains unstable, particularly for vessels caught up in the ongoing uncertainty over transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, OneCare said it has expanded its support framework by extending 24/7 telemedical assistance, intensifying welfare outreach and introducing structured wellbeing monitoring for crew members who remain on board beyond their normal contract periods. Support is also being provided to families ashore.
Chief executive Marinos Kokkinis said the company’s first priority is the safety and welfare of seafarers. He described the current situation not as a short-term disruption, but as a prolonged period in which crews are effectively isolated at sea under heightened threat conditions, increasing both physical risk and mental fatigue.
Mental Health Support Solutions, a OneCare Group company, has also stepped up its proactive wellbeing check-ins and is offering immediate access to confidential counselling for seafarers suffering from stress, anxiety or fatigue.
For crew members who have been able to leave the region, support is continuing after repatriation to ensure care does not stop at disembarkation.
MHSS said it has already identified and assisted seafarers experiencing elevated stress directly linked to the ongoing war situation.
Managing director Mariana Charalambous said extended periods at sea under uncertain conditions can have a cumulative psychological effect. In many cases, she noted, seafarers are coping not only with direct concerns about conflict but also with the emotional burden of prolonged separation and worry for family members.
OneCare said it is also working closely with onshore management teams to maintain clear and consistent communication with vessels, reduce uncertainty and strengthen trust. The company added that it is coordinating with shipowners, operators and insurers to support both the immediate response and longer-term planning.
