by mariners for mariners.

Reframing mental health as both a human-centred responsibility and an operational advantage. empowering individuals and organisations to thrive.

Maritime Mental Health & Crew Resilience

Mental health among mariners is no longer a hidden issue—it is the current problem facing the global maritime sector. Our crews work in some extreme and isolating environments and the toll is undeniable.

Recent data is sobering over 25% of seafarers report symptoms of anxiety and depression, while nearly 1 in 5 report suicidal thoughts within a two-week period. These are not abstract numbers—they represent real people under strain, and the impact is felt across safety, performance, and the sustainability of operations.

On 1 June 2025, AMSA and the IMO has implemented strengthened compliance requirements. These reforms are not administrative tweaks—they are a direct response to overwhelming evidence that urgent, human-centred action is required.

OUR INDUSTRIES PROBLEM OUR INDUSTRIES RESPONSIBILITY.

Impacts on Maritime Operations

Poor mental health ripples across every level of marine operations. Crews under pressure are slower to make decisions, more prone to errors, and less cohesive as teams. This weakens safety margins and undermines operational performance. Over time, stress and fatigue drive higher turnover, with significant costs from recruitment, retraining, and lost productivity.

The Way Forward

The current situation demands recognition that seafarer wellbeing at sea is not a box-ticking exercise, but a human-centred priority. The evidence is clear—when crews are supported, safety improves, turnover drops, and productivity rises. By placing the person first within every team and embedding resilience into operational culture, today’s crisis can become tomorrow’s competitive advantage.

With Sea Worthy State, maritime organisations have the chance to lead this change—creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable futures for both people and operations.

About Sea Worthy State.

In response to the current problem of mental distress in the maritime industry, Leigh Stalker founded Sea Worthy State —a proactive, human-centred program that equips each crew member with resilience skills, develops stronger leadership and culture onboard, and aligns training with compliance requirements.

With over a decade as a Captain and performance coach, working with world champions, everyday people, and mentoring mariners into successful careers, Leigh has designed Sea Worthy State to blend seamanship with performance science to build resilience, clarity, and success under pressure.

This unique perspective ensures that Seaworthy State speaks the language of the sea while addressing the human factors that underpin operational success.

When people are supported, safety improves, turnover drops, and performance thrives. Through Sea Worthy State, Leigh and the SWS team help maritime organisations build cultures where crew members don’t just endure—but truly excel.

From the Helm to health and high performance, The SWS team brings a unique voice to personal performance and wellness at sea.

A Proven Record at Sea and Beyond

Leigh’s coaching approach is anchored in a career shaped by extreme environments—both maritime and terrestrial. He has captained expedition vessels, research ships, and private yachts across Australasia and beyond, developing acute skills in decision-making, crew leadership, and endurance under pressure. His ability to remain composed and effective in unpredictable conditions at sea informs his coaching philosophy, where resilience and clarity of thought are paramount.

Beyond the ocean, Leigh has pushed human limits on land—summiting a 6,200-meter Himalayan peak solo, completing Ironman triathlons, setting a world record for endurance, and finishing countless marathons. This combination of marine leadership and personal endurance achievements gives Leigh a rare depth of understanding in human performance—one forged where risk, responsibility, and resilience intersect.

The SWS Crew

Leigh Stalker Seaworthy State Facilitator and Director

Testimonials

Blake C. - Owner Director TDP

The environments can be vulnerable unpredictable and constantly evolving good or bad. When dealing with complex trauma, behaviours, diagnosis and developing mental health. It can be a reactive volatile energy.
Leigh has opened our eyes in the ability, to ground within self and self awareness of self in changing environments. The power of presence and visualisation. A skill to expand to look within. This is the essence as a team and individuals at TDP we have gained from Leigh's workshops.
In Leigh I find a man true of word and full of heart. Rich in experience and his own self awareness. A man who understands himself. I would recommend Leigh to any individual or team who is curious in growth and discovery.
GUIL S. - Operations Manager - MV Catalina

Leigh's knowledge in performance and his enthusiasm for self-improvement was motivating in the workshop he led. The breathwork training combined with the ice bath was not just educational but also a deep dive into self-awareness, self-balance and control. I learned a completely new perspective into some techniques that have become popularised, however I have yet to see someone teach with his level of comprehension.
Listening to Leigh's approach and personal experiences by itself was igniting and motivating.
Being someone enthusiastic about a lot of the topics he approached, his perspective has shed new light into my pathway of self-improvement, and I left each session with a feeling of purpose, composed, resilient and ready to embrace bigger challenges
Froya H.N. - SY Kokomo Captain

I had the pleasure of working with Captain Leigh Stalker in 2013/2014 when I joined the industry onboard M/V Seastar. 5 years later, I still hold him in high regard as the most inspirational captain I’ve worked with. He was a key motivator to further my education and help build my confidence to commit to a career at sea.
Seastar operates with 5 crew as a day cruise from Cairns, Australia. Taking 35 Guests on Dive and Snorkel tours around Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef, with educational reef presentations and a glass bottom boat tour. Amongst the crew was a sense of pride; working on a ‘tight ship’ and striving to maintain our reputation as ‘the best on the reef’ in terms of guest satisfaction.
Leigh possesses the qualities of a natural leader; compassion, warmth, ambition and integrity. He guided crew through the ranks and gave one on one coaching when needed. Safety was always top priority and drills encouraged continuous improvement through the input and feedback of all crew. His respect and awe of the ocean is infectious and should you be lucky enough to work with Leigh, I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Ben R. - Technology Industry

Leigh is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. His workshop was full of life-altering realisations and the clear, practical steps to see them through to fruition. Leigh blew me away with his real-world anecdotes, ultimately delivering a practical guide to achieving your dreams.
RENTON B. - Business Owner

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Leigh to our workplace for an empowering two hour workshop focused on personal growth and how that could affect the energy one brings to the workplace. His concepts, guidance and motivational approach provided lots of inspiration for our team and we began seeing benefits immediately! We will make this a regular check-in for our team moving forward.
Trent G - Director Giumelli Group

Leigh's expertise and experience is second to none, along with his perseverance and drive to learn more each and every day. This is what makes him one of the top 5% in his field
JAMES G. - HEAD COACH AFL BRISBANE LIONS U16

After attending Leigh's workshop, Leigh's, wisdom and knowledge in the realms of goal, setting, visualising dreams and crafting strategies to achieve them are unparalleled, his insight and guidance have been instrumental and shaping my approach towards reaching my aspirations.
Leigh's ability to breakdown complex concepts into achievable steps is truly commendable, making the journey towards success, Feel feasible and exciting. I highly recommend Leigh to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and inspiring mentor in the pursuit of their dreams.
KELLY B. - Business Owner

I've known Leigh for almost a decade now.
Back when he first coached me at his gym, he not only helped me achieve the best shape of my life but also supported me in my business journey. So, when the opportunity arose to attend one of his workshops, I didn't hesitate.
Leigh has this incredible knack for explaining things in a way that just clicks. He doesn't just motivate you; he inspires you to take action and create the life you truly desire. His workshops provide solid tools for personal and professional growth.
Beyond his expertise, Leigh is a genuinely amazing guy. If you're looking to make positive changes in your life, I highly recommend attending any workshop with Leigh.
Tristan O. - Director Vision Performance

As a gym owner and someone that has been in the industry a long time I have been to my fair share of workshops, from nutrition seminars to performance workshops and everything in between. With that being said, I think Leigh's approach to goal setting in his recent mind-body mastery workshop "SUMMIT" has been the most relatable. The room was filled with already motivated and disciplined individuals and I feel every single person there took something away from the experience. Some of the stories alone were enough to change your perspective on life and reevaluate what's important.
I can't recommend this workshop enough for anyone looking to level up.
JEN M. - OPERATIONS MANAGER

Leigh's workshop was just what we needed to refresh and regroup as a team.
The expertly-guided activities had us viewing our goals, and what's possible, through a much more expansive lens. It was exciting to see team members lighting up with the vision of their own personal potential. Since the workshop the vibe in the studio has been amazing, and the team even closer than before. It makes such a difference to have a whole team shift into a higher, even more positive mindset together, each inspired by their individual goals.
Leigh is a master of supporting you to get out of your own way, and achieve your wildest dreams with ease and flow. Highly recommend this workshop for teams in any industry!
JOHN G. - PODIATRIST + Director

Leigh held an informative and insightful presentation which was underpinned by gripping, real life anecdotes.
His presentation touched on the importance of perspective in goal setting & laid out an action-focussed means to achieving our goals.
Strongly recommend this course to any high-achievers.
FREYA S. - EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY DIRECTOR

I met Leigh in 2018 when he became my coach.
His passion and energy for health and wellness has always been contagious. I was very excited when I heard that he returned to Noosa and started workshops. His performance mindset workshop was inspirational and fun - using his extensive knowledge and sharing his personal experiences had the audience engaged from start to finish.
If you want to kick goals in life and become the best version of yourself - whether your goals relate to physical performance or corporate success - get in touch with this legend, I promise it will be life changing. I feel very fortunate to know Leigh and I am excited to see what else he has to offer in the future.