The Day of the Seafarer (25 June) recognises the vital contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to the global community. This year, the focus of the day is on safety tips at sea, a critical factor in seafarer wellbeing. MedSea, the maritime arm of International SOS, offers practical measures for organisations to prevent common injuries, illnesses and safety concerns onboard commercial vessels, complemented by data which highlights the diverse health challenges among seafarers.
MedSea's assistance case data from 2023 shows that seafarers suffer from a wide variety of health issues onboard.
Musculoskeletal problems, often caused by improper lifting techniques, posture and repetitive tasks, have always been a concern for seafarers. In 2023, it emerged as the fourth most common medical case type, with a significant portion (40%) involving the neck and back. Additionally, one-third of all cases where seafarers are deemed unfit for duty were attributed to musculoskeletal problems.
In 2023, dental cases saw a concerning rise, jumping from MedSea's sixth most common medical case category to the second. 67% of these cases required further shoreside evaluation. When crew members cannot be immediately attended to by a dentist onshore, the pain and discomfort they experience may affect their job performance, concentration, sleep, and safety.
It is also important to consider the impact of chronic health conditions that many seafarers suffer from, primarily due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Hypertension is reported to be the most common chronic condition onboard ships, followed by diabetes, depression and obesity. When incorrectly managed, NCDs pose significant health risks to seafarers, potentially leading to complications and even medical emergencies, requiring vessel diversions and delays. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the increasing trend of NCDs will continue worldwide. By around 2050, chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses will account for 86% of the 90 million fatalities each year[1].
Whilst cardiovascular diseases represent a much smaller number of overall MedSea cases, globally they account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually1. This poses a significant threat as potential consequences, such as a heart attack and a stroke can be potentially life-threatening. Protecting heart health, for example through eliminating tobacco use, should be a key priority for all onboard.
Dr Katherine Sinclaire, Senior Medical Advisor at MedSea says "As we celebrate the Day of the Seafarer and recognise their critical role, it is important to acknowledge the unique health challenges they face. Long stretches at sea, isolation and exposure to harsh environments can significantly impact crewmembers' wellbeing and exacerbate chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and mental health conditions. As an industry, we must continue to focus upon prevention and improving the overall health and welfare of our seafarers.
"Organisations within the Maritime industry have a Duty of Care that goes beyond basic medical facilities onboard and moves towards proactive health management programmes, designed to address the specific challenges seafarers encounter. Running awareness campaigns about safe working practices in hot environments can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illness among seafarers".
MedSea shares top tips for organisations to prevent common injuries and illnesses among seafarers onboard commercial vessels:
Provide smoking cessation support: offer smoking cessation programmes and resources to raise awareness of the negative impacts of smoking
ABOUT MEDSEA
MedSea is the maritime arm of International SOS. We help ship owners, managers and operators to fulfil their Duty of Care to seafarers and build a resilient workforce.
Every year we provide telemedical assistance to thousands of seafarers worldwide, supporting all types of physical and emotional health issues. When a case cannot be solved onboard, MedSea refers to our network of 85,000+ approved and verified shoreside medical providers, ensuring that seafarers receive the highest level of care possible.
For 25+ years MedSea has been supporting the worldwide maritime community, helping to maintain happy, healthy vessels.
[1] World Health Organization | Fact Sheet: Non-Communicable Diseases