Naples Psychiatrist Launches Italy's First Sea‑Based Mental‑Health Emergency Guide

Vincenzo Barretta, psychiatrist and scientific director of the Centro Noesis for emotional and behavioral health in Naples, has signed Italy's first decalogue aimed at managing mental‑health emergencies on recreational vessels. The guide provides practical steps for captains and crew to address acute agitation, dangerous behavior, or psychological crises that can arise far from shore, where immediate medical care is unavailable.

The initiative responds to a growing number of summer boating incidents and to reports that the Italian Coast Guard records only mechanical accidents, collisions and groundings, while mental‑health emergencies remain undocumented. The decalogue highlights risk factors such as alcohol consumption, substance use, sleep deprivation, dehydration, heat stress, relational conflicts and the suspension of medication during holidays. By equipping maritime personnel with clear procedures, the guide seeks to improve safety and protect lives at sea.