Tag: maritime health

Seafarers are usually exposed to several stressors due to their demanding working environment. Specifically, they are confronted with mental, psychosocial, and physical stressors. The different duties onboard, separation from family, loneliness on board, fatigue, multi-nationality, limited recreation activity, and sleep deprivation are among the contributory factors of stress at sea.

AMSA and two universities recently surveyed 1026 seafarers visiting Australian ports. More than 20% reported that they felt strain due to being away from their family, and a considerable number of respondents reported that they work more than 69 hours per week. AMSA issued a safety awareness bulletin discussing possible risk factors and solutions.

Norwegian-based OSM has launched a new mobile app for seafarers to manage their lives at sea and onshore. The development aims to increase efficiency and management capability, by providing seafarers with an instant overview of all relevant documentation, vessel assignments, communication with the company, pay slips, and others. 

More than 25% of seafarers show signs of depression and many won’t ask for help, according to a study carried out by international maritime charity Sailors’ Society and Yale University. The results, including responses of more than 1,000 seafarers, were presented at Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea conference on 16 March, in London.

Denmark introduced new regulation, aiming to simplify the handling of medical supplies for survival craft and the handling of medicine onboard Danish ships abroad. Upon the new regulations become effective on 1 July 2018, the requirement for ships’ medicine to be bought from a Danish pharmacy will be abolished.

UK MCA issued a marine guidance note outlining key points in shipowner liability following the implementation of MLC Convention 2006, in connection with the loss or foundering of the ship; financial security to assure compensation in the event of death or long-term disability of a seafarer due to occupational injury; and liability for burial/ cremation costs.

There is a series of mosquito borne and transferred diseases on board vessels. Examples of such diseases are malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika Virus, viral encephalitis.  If not properly controlled, such vectors could breed on ship and could certainly be carried by ship. Infection with above diseases during voyage represents a serious risk to seafarers’ health and life.

The new code wants to address the many changes in the industry, including the use of robotic systems, over the last 43 years since an earlier code was adopted by the ILO. It emphasizes on a preventive approach based on occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems, management of change and safe work plans.

In a response to ongoing outbreaks of yellow fever in Nigeria and Brazil, China has strengthened its quarantine inspection requirements to prevent the virus being carried to China by seagoing vessels. Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease with the potential to cause severe health implications.

As part of its Good Mental Health Guides series with ISWAN, the Shipowners Club issued two infographics focusing on mindfulness and mental health to enhance wellbeing onboard. The first reminds crews of mindful techniques for managing stress and the second highlights key components of positive mental health.