Voice of Commonwealth

Working in the maritime industry has its advantages and drawbacks

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By Wasana Nadeeshani Sellahewa

(Commonwealth Union)_ The marine business offers a diverse range of job prospects. Careers are often classified as Offshore Rigs, Ferries and Cruise Ships, Commercial Fishing Research and Science, Transportation and Shipping, and Government Positions. Each of these divisions may contain employment that are similar in nature, such as maintenance roles, electricians, HVAC technicians, and so on. The sort of work surroundings in which job functions are done, however, is a significant distinction.

In an era when entry-level work might be difficult to come by, marine occupations provide plenty of options. Unlike land-based occupations, maritime positions have various benefits, including higher starting wages, better benefits, opportunities for quick promotion, working with a close group of people, travel opportunities, excitement, nature living, career flexibility, ongoing learning and skills development, a sense of pride in individual and group accomplishments and job security.

Even with all of the perks that a maritime profession may provide, these occupations are regarded to have the highest dangers of any career type. Employees should anticipate to work ten- to twelve-hour days every day for several months, with no days off. Instead of actual days off, personnel in the marine sector are granted “hours” off. Nonetheless, many employers provide the option to earn full days off by meeting some goal or target. For example, in the cruise sector, personnel might earn days off by providing excellent customer service to passengers.

Other potential risks associated with maritime careers include: intensive labor, the ability to lift heavy items and objects, a high pressure/high-paced environment, confined living quarters, increased risks of illness, periods of seasickness, exhaustion, limited access to friends and family while at sea, errors/mistakes may cause injuries or death, long work hours, tiredness and other circumstances can all lead to employees making errors and blunders. The severity of the blunder or mistake might have catastrophic implications.

For example, in July 1988, one of the worst offshore oil rig catastrophes in history happened aboard the Piper Alpha in the United Kingdom’s North Sea. Dayshift maintenance staff were doing routine pump maintenance when they discovered a pressure safety valve had been removed. However, they did not finish maintenance and did not reattach the safety valve. There were also some communication breakdowns, which resulted in the night shift turning on the pump despite the fact that maintenance had not been performed. Without the safety valve, gas condensate spilled out and exploded. Only 61 of the 226 workers on board survived.

Even though significant and deadly incidents may be rare, it is critical to be prepared for them. Not all marine incidents make national headlines. If you decide to work in the marine business, you should be aware of the following types of accidents and personal injuries:

Slips and falls: Oil may make outdoor decks and stairs slippery.

Falls: If the proper safety equipment is not employed, it is possible to fall down the side of a ship or rig. Falls within the ship can also occur if safety rails and other barriers are not maintained.

Injuries caused by faulty equipment: If the equipment is defective, it might cause accidents and injuries. It is crucial to remember that things do not always go as planned for wounded marine personnel. They may have difficulty getting their benefits claims authorized, or their employers may just refuse to pay. When things go wrong, you should contact a marine lawyer as quickly as possible. It is strongly advised that you visit with one after getting medical attention and treatment but before submitting an injury claim.

If you file your claim under the incorrect statute, you may not have enough time to refile it later under the correct one. Each legislation has a different statute of limitations for filing, as well as different filing procedures. You cannot claim ignorance if you miss these critical deadlines. Unfortunately, there have been occasions in the past where marine personnel filed their own claims only to discover that they were incorrectly filed. By the time they discovered it, it was too late to file under the right statute.

Aside from maintenance and equipment labor, you also have life experiences. If you worked on a cruise ship, for example, you would have gone all over the world. You might establish your own travel agency by utilizing your knowledge of numerous ports of call and places. If you worked on a fishing boat, on the other hand, you might utilize your understanding of fish to create a fresh seafood market. While the hazards of working at sea may outweigh the rewards, it ultimately comes down to what you want to accomplish. You can assess if the advantages are worth the danger by considering various marine vocations and their risks.

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