With the story Our Family and the Sea, seafarers who are separated from their families can create meaningful moments with their children. This heart-warming book thoughtfully explores the stress of separation and takes children on a journey of understanding as to why their parents spend extended periods away at sea.

The book tells the story of Angelo and Mutya, whose father goes to sea for many months aboard an ocean-going cargo ship. During the story, older sibling Angelo is upset that his father is going to miss his birthday, while younger daughter Mutya dreams of a blue whale who takes her to sea to visit her father at work. The children are supported by their mother, grandparents, and friends as they work through their feelings and learn to understand their father’s life as a seafarer.

Produced by marine insurance specialist The Swedish Club and Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), the picture book is beautifully illustrated and written in language for children under 10 years old.

The book is accessible online, allowing both seafarers and their families to download and view a copy at the same time. This gives seafarers the chance to read the story while their children follow along, no matter where in the world they are, bridging the gap between them.

"When we began brainstorming the Crew Wellbeing Project within the Loss Prevention team, it was clear to me that family plays a vital role in seafarer mental health," said Lorraine Hager, Loss Prevention & Marketing Advisor at The Swedish Club. "A strong connection to family is one of the most significant contributors to a seafarer’s mental and emotional health, especially given the challenges of prolonged separation.”

Our Family and the Sea is the first step in this initiative and has been a great project in collaboration between The Swedish Club and MHSS. Specialist child psychologists from MHSS have been instrumental in producing the book.

Güven Kale, Chief Clinical Officer of MHSS, said: “Working together on this book allowed us to bring a much-needed resource to life. It’s not just a tool for children to navigate their emotions—it’s a bridge that connects families, helping parents and kids understand and support one another despite the physical distance."

Charles Watkins, CEO and Clinical Psychologist at MHSS, added: “Life at sea can be tough, not just for seafarers but for their families back home. Working with The Swedish Club, we wanted to create something that brings families closer, even when distance keeps them apart. This book offers a simple yet meaningful way for seafarers to share a part of their world with their children, helping them feel connected and supported. It’s about starting conversations, building understanding, and making those moments together, even remotely, truly special.”

The book underscores The Swedish Club’s commitment to supporting its members by addressing the human factors behind seafarer wellbeing, ensuring that crew and their families feel valued and supported. Strengthening family support is a key goal of the Loss Prevention team’s “Check Your Pulse” crew wellbeing project. "We wanted to create something that not only connects families but also fosters understanding about the seafaring profession," Lorraine added. "Through this book, we hope to strengthen family bonds and offer reassurance to children who miss their parents while they’re at sea."

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	Issue 94 of Robban Assafina (Nov/ Dec. 2024)