Tag: life onboard

Today we are going to talk about Pre-employment and re-employment medical examinations. Unfortunately the importance of these tests is under estimated, left for the responsibility of the crew member, treated as a formal requirement, which eventually might lead to very costly claims onboard and/or even direct threat to the crew member’s life.

Challenges on board ships put not only seafarers’ strengths, but also their emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and health under strain. Lately, the focus shifts towards management-level personnel on shore and on board ships for supporting seafarers. This article is a look into different ways to encourage seafarers’ wellness.

Höegh Autoliners focuses on the importance of seafarers' wellness when at sea, highlighting that is crucial to ensure that good mental and physical health is not only a matter for the individual but for the organisation as a whole. Seafarers face many challenges when onboard, travelling for many days; The long time away from family and friends is amongst the most challenging situations they face.

As mental health issues have risen as a big topic for every industry and the maritime included, Captains and Chief Officers have an important role to play in leading by example, to encourage and actively protect good mental health onboard, the UK P&I Club advised. 

Inert gas is an asphyxiant due to the low oxygen content and contains low oxygen levels for life support, CO2, CO, NOx, SOx and traces of other substances. In addition, some of its components (e.g. carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, etc.) are toxic. Thus, all personnel onboard need to be aware of potential hazards.

When working in hot temperatures, seafarers need to be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke, also called sun stroke, is a type of severe heat illness that results in great body temperature. In such occasions, the body loses its ability to keep a balance between the heat entering the body and the heat leaving the body.

In its latest 'Training onboard' newsletter providing health tips for seafarers, ISWAN shared two reasons why going for a short walk around the ship or out on deck after eating a heavy meal could be beneficial to crew members onboard. 

Australian authorities detained the Liberian-registered bulk carrier 'Anna-Elisabeth' after crew onboard the vessel complained of insufficient food, bullying aboard the vessel and denial of shore leave. ITF received the complaints from onboard the ship berthed at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal on 25 March.

Cargo ship or a large cruise liner are very different places to work on, but looking at these 2 places from a perspective of a crew member health and safety actually we can see some common features. The risks for the wellbeing and health, the reasons of signing off board the ship and the need to get good quality treatment in a home country, in many cases, is very similar.

The Mission to Seafarers, International seafarer welfare charity, addressed that reports of obesity, mental health problems and gender discrimination are rapidly increasing, while wellness at sea keeps on falling. Ben Bailey, Director of Advocacy and Regional Engagement, will present the latest findings from Seafarers Happiness Index at CMA Shipping Conference in April.