Citation

Kirkby D. Lab. Hist. 2020; 119(1): 197-208.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Australian Society for the Study of Labour History)

DOI

10.3828/jlh.2020.24

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Seafaring has long been recognised as a hazardous occupation, with the ever-present risk of disease, drowning or serious, often fatal, injuries from fires, accidents, shipwrecks or simply falling overboard. Health and safety concerns about physical dangers came to include illness from toxic substances but only recently has attention turned to the psychological hazards of shipboard living and working under conditions of isolation. A recent survey of seafarers working in the cargo shipping industry is the first sustained, methodical study to investigate the mental wellbeing of ships crews. It provides a wealth of statistical and other information from both crews and the companies employing them that, it is suggested here, is of value for further research, and an opportunity for labour historians. © 2023 Liverpool University Press.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicides; Mental health; Safety at Sea; Seafarers; Sexual Assaults; Ships Crews