The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) launched a new global awareness campaign to spotlight its confidential 24/7 helpline, YachtCrewHelp. The campaign raises awareness of YachtCrewHelp, informing captains, crew, and industry professionals that the helpline is available to any yacht crewmember regardless of rank, experience, employment status, nationality, or location. The helpline is also available to the families of crew. After a 2018 ISWAN study found a lack of accessible, specialized support available yacht crew, ISWAN launched YachtCrewHelp in November, 2020. The helpline service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via live chat, WhatsApp, email, or telephone. It is free, confidential, and multilingual. “We want crew to know that YachtCrewHelp is here for everyone – whether you are new on board or an experienced captain, looking for work in the yachting industry, or a relative of a crewmember. ISWAN understands the unique pressures of working in yachting, and we offer a safe space and a listening ear along with support, information, and resources,” said Laura Beard ISWAN’s welfare of yacht crew project manager. “We also understand crew concerns about risks to their reputation and the pressures of non-disclosure agreements. That’s why YachtCrewHelp is confidential, non-judgmental and available anonymously. Those contacting the helpline do not have to tell us their name, the name of their boat, or anything that they don’t feel comfortable sharing with us. We would never pass on any personal information to others without the crewmember’s permission unless there was a serious risk of harm.” ISWAN’s campaign, launched on Sept. 15, runs until the end of October 2025 and will feature a series of social media posts using the hashtags #YachtCrewHelp and #HereForAllCrew, a creative video challenge for anyone to participate in, key industry event appearances, and collaborations with supporters across the yachting industry. ISWAN is also calling on crew and industry professionals to get involved and share the message however they can. “We encourage anyone and everyone to be part of this campaign, in any way that you can. Whether it’s sharing a post, telling your story or simply spreading the word, we can all play a part in making sure yacht crew know that support is always available,” Beard said. Since its launch, YachtCrewHelp has supported more than 1,500 crew and family members of more than 40 nationalities with issues ranging from contractual concerns to psychological first aid. While crew and their families have used the helpline, ISWAN is aware that many in the industry are not aware that this support is available, with their new campaign aiming to change that.