Ranking Needs Preferences of Iranian Seafarers

People are motivated according to their needs. These needs vary according to the time and based on various situations. Identifying and assessing human needs are the first and vital step in determining the amount of its impact on work and activity. According to these facts, the aim of this research is to identify the needs of the Iranian seafarers on board merchant ships. It also tries to specify the importance and priority of these needs in the frame of “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs” theory. Research methodology is analytical and based on library resources and previous studies. Research was conducted using interview and questionnaire. 96 questionnaires were distributed among Iranian seafarers of which 94 questionnaires were completed and evaluated valid for further processing. Surveyed population included masters, officers and engineers on board container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, special ships and general cargo vessels. The results showed that self-actualization and self-esteem are the most important needs of the seafarers and the physiological needs ranked the lowest.