The ocean, often seen as a place where one can easily get lost, is rarely perceived as a social space. Sociologists typically view everything that happens "at sea" as something remote and unrelated to what occurs on land, or, at best, as a preparatory phase for real life taking place on shore.

Years of education, culminating in years of work, have become the foundation of Leisure Craft—a deeply personal photographic exploration of the often overlooked and profound social isolation experienced by seafarers. This project delves into the lives of those who spend months at sea, separated from their families, communities, and the familiar comforts of home.

The sea is both a workplace and a prison, a vast expanse that symbolizes freedom yet enforces strict confinement. The isolation of seafarers is not just physical but also deeply psychological, as they are disconnected from society and the rhythms of everyday life on land.

This project seeks to document the human aspects of maritime life, exploring the resilience and coping mechanisms of those who spend much of their lives in solitude.

As seafarers spend long periods away from home, their sense of identity often becomes intertwined with the transient nature of their work. The project explores how they maintain connections to their roots, family, and memories, often through small tokens, photographs, or rituals that remind them of home.

Despite the challenges, seafarers develop unique ways to cope with isolation—whether through camaraderie with fellow crew members, creative hobbies, or simply looking forward to the day they can return home. Leisure Craft showcases these coping mechanisms, emphasizing the strength and adaptability of the human spirit.

Leisure Craft aims to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by maritime workers, a group often overlooked in discussions about social isolation.