“The ocean is a very dangerous place and only truly fit Able Bodied Seamen
should be allowed on board,” warns Michael van Hall, IMMA President.
Concern is growing at the rise of obesity levels among crew. The Norwegian
Centre for Maritime Medicine recently revealed that it withdrew the health
certificates of more than 500 overweight seafarers last year. Mr van Hall
commented: “It seems that the general epidemic of obesity in Western
Countries has hit the maritime sector too. It is the job of the ship owner
or manager to make sure that sailors are fed a nutritious, non-fattening
diet and have good exercise programmes available on board.”
Mr van Hall recalled: “I have heard of instances in American screening
clinics where a fire extinguisher (weighing 53 lbs) has been put in the
hands of an extra heavy sailor before medical staff have asked him to
rapidly climb two staircases. This brings fitness into sharp focus because
in an emergency fire fighting is everybody’s job on board.
“Weight issues and physical fitness are matters of extreme importance in
the maritime world and we must act now to ensure that seafarers are given
every support to maintain a healthy weight,” he urged.
