Whether you’re working with a shipping business, on an offshore oil rig, as part of a shipping vessel, or otherwise, a career on the sea can be highly lucrative. However, it typically pays so well due to the added level of risk you take on as a result. If you plan on working at sea, it’s important to be aware of the dangers, as well as what you can do to mitigate or avoid them.

Know The Risks

Life at sea exposes you to harsh, unpredictable environments. Logistics and oil work can be strenuous, and you might have to deal with storms, high winds, and rough seas that increase your risk of accidents. Make sure that you thoroughly engage with training, wear the appropriate protective gear, and be mindful of vessel safety protocols at all times.

Anticipate Limited Medical Access

Often, it’s not easy to get immediate medical care at sea. Serious illnesses and injuries, as a result, might require evacuation to the nearest port or medical facility. Taking the time to undergo first aid training can help you better understand how to use onboard medical equipment, but you should also be extra vigilant when it comes to managing pre-existing conditions. For instance, those with signs of cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues, or vision and hearing impairments should reconsider a career at sea. 

Understanding The Psychological Risks

Working at sea can often be an isolating experience, involving long hours and even longer periods of being separated from family and loved ones. Fatigue is a common complaint in the industry due to irregular schedules and night shifts. As such, strategies to mitigate these risks, such as routine communication with loved ones and taking advantage of what recreational activities are available on board, can be essential for preventing burnout.

Know Your Legal Protections

Seafarers have additional specific legal protections to help manage the additional risks they face. For instance, strict liability in maritime law can ensure that shipowners are held responsible for harm caused by issues like environmental incidents or exploding cargo, even when there’s no clear fault. Understand your additional rights as well as necessary insurance policies so that you’re able to navigate disputes with more confidence. You’re also afforded many of the more common worker protections, like workplace injury, unsafe working conditions, and wrongful termination.

Addressing Your Complaints

Know the proper procedures for reporting any safety concerns or violations of maritime regulations. Your vessel should have safety officers and incident report mechanisms to ensure that complaints are documented and responded to. However, it’s also important to keep your own independent records, so that you’re able to hold them accountable if they fail to take action or to properly document incidents in the first place. A paper trail can be one of the most effective legal tools at your disposal.

Working at sea simply is more dangerous than working on land; that’s a fact you need to accept. However, that acceptance should come with the extra diligence and awareness of the ways you can protect yourself, both from hazards and from the way they can affect your rights.