Occupational Conditions on Merchant Ships
Working conditions on merchant ships require stellar health. As a matter of fact in order to be qualified to work you need a US Public Health Service certificate of excellent physical health, color perception & vision. Being long time on merchant ships can effect immune system and those with weak immune system should not attempt to work on merchant ships, conditions like diabetes & heart disease are some of the immune system weakeners. US CoastGuard handles most of the training & requirements for water transportation workers.
This occupation generally requires working 7 days a week, 12hr days. The workers are faced with temperature changes, usually low quality & uncomfortable living quarters, being away from home for extended periods of time, dangers of serious injury & possible drowning or death due to many possible accidents or situations on board. Such occupation can be very psychologically intense & for some people unbearable. The sheer fact of being confined on the ship can cause significant psychological stress on the worker. Given that most of the vessels go on long trips & require spending extended uninterrupted periods of time on the vessel, long-term stay on such occupation may cause various health problems & possible serious psychological effect or even severe psychological disorders. Vessels are being constantly improved & living quarters are being revamped across the boarder for better living situation on board. These improvements should contribute to better keeping the immune system intact, avoiding many diseases & mental discomfort. Nevertheless, even with better living situation on board many can find long term occupation at such places unbearable.
However, employment on these positions is on decline. Many things on the board are being automated, the ships require less & less people for operation. The newer ships require greater skills from the crew, so some older occupants may be forced to leave, that said overall number of employed people is still projected to decline & there is no other foresight at the moment. 50% of general workers on water transportation are expected to earn $500-1000 a week, less than 10% earn less than $400, only 10% earn over $1000 weekly. These numbers are likely to increase as crew numbers start decreasing, on the other hand the competition for these positions is likely to be fierce.