A new report from World Maritime University (WMU), titled In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, provides one of the most comprehensive recent snapshots of seafarers’ working lives, health, and career intentions. Commissioned by the Officers’ Union of International Seamen (OUIS), the study draws on survey responses from 4,372 seafarers representing 99 nationalities. The findings reveal persistently long working hours, limited rest and shore leave, and high levels of work-related stress, with roughly one-third of respondents experiencing severe or potentially dangerous stress levels. Mental well-being indicators suggest a significant portion of the global seafaring workforce may be at risk of mental health problems. U.S. seafarers, analyzed as a distinct group, reported especially heavy workloads and administrative pressures despite having shorter contracts and comparatively more leave. Alarmingly, nearly half of all respondents said they intend to leave seafaring within the next five years, citing poor mental health and dissatisfaction with working conditions. WMU researchers warn that these trends threaten safety, operational resilience, and long-term recruitment and retention, and they call for coordinated action by regulators, shipowners, and policymakers to reduce excessive workloads, ease administrative burdens, and put seafarer well-being at the center of maritime decision-making.