If you work as a captain, engineer, or in another role on a ship or fishing vessel, you know to be aware of possible injuries that can occur at sea.
It is important to be aware of the different types of injuries that can happen when on a ship, in order to help prevent them among yourself and your crewmates. Here are a few types of maritime accidents and injuries.
Slips and falls
Ships often have a lot of narrow steps and other areas that can be difficult to reach. When you pair this with wet surfaces caused by water from choppy waves going overboard, the risk of slips and falls increases. If you slip and fall, you should report the injury and get medical attention right away.
Falls overboard
Different from a slip and fall where the injured person is still on deck, a fall overboard involves a catastrophe that can lead to death by drowning. This is the second leading way that commercial fishermen in the United States experience fatalities on the job. Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic waters off the New England coast are especially prone to this type of accident.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can occur when you have been working outside in the sun or another hot environment. In the maritime industry, this type of illness may occur when someone is working out on the deck since the open sea provides few if any trees for shade.
If you work in the maritime industry, take measures to help prevent these three accidents and injuries from happening.
