The hidden health issue sending seafarers home

The hidden health issue sending seafarers home
October 8, 2026 https://splash247.com/the-hidden-health-issue-sending-seafarers-home/

Musculoskeletal problems are responsible for a significant proportion of crew repatriations, but earlier intervention could help prevent many cases from reaching that stage says Ronald Spithout, MD OneHealth by VIKAND.

Working at sea is physically demanding, so aches and pains can easily be accepted as part of the job. A sore back after lifting, a troublesome knee or a shoulder that has been getting steadily worse may not initially seem serious, particularly when the person affected is still able to carry out their normal duties.

The problem is that musculoskeletal conditions often develop gradually, so a seafarer may continue working for days or weeks before seeking help, by which time something relatively manageable may have started to affect their mobility and ability to work safely.

Data from VIKAND’s OneHealth programme shows the scale of the issue with musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions accounting for 13% of all clinical encounters, making them the largest clinical category we see. They are also responsible for 28% of repatriations, while low back and lumbosacral conditions account for 60% of musculoskeletal repatriations.

The nature of shipboard work inevitably creates physical pressures. Seafarers regularly climb stairs and ladders, lift and move equipment, work in confined or awkward spaces and carry out physically demanding tasks while compensating for vessel movement. Over time, these demands can take their toll, particularly when an existing strain is not given sufficient opportunity to recover.

Unlike an accident or sudden illness, there is not always an obvious moment when someone decides they need medical help. A crew member may adjust how they work, avoid movements that cause discomfort or simply assume the problem will improve. There can also be a reluctance to speak up because they do not want to increase the workload of colleagues or are concerned that reporting pain could result in them being sent home.

This perception needs to change because seeking advice early can actually improve the chances of remaining onboard. Across the musculoskeletal cases managed through OneHealth, 72% have been successfully treated onboard, allowing crew members to return to fit for work status.

Some conditions will, of course, require further investigation or treatment ashore, whether that means diagnostic imaging, specialist assessment, physiotherapy or another form of treatment. The aim is not to keep every seafarer onboard, but to ensure decisions are made following timely clinical assessment rather than waiting until a condition has deteriorated and the options have narrowed.

Telehealth can provide that earlier assessment, allowing a clinician to understand the symptoms, consider how movement and function have been affected, identify warning signs and determine whether particular duties may be contributing to the problem. Follow up consultations can then monitor recovery and establish whether further intervention is necessary.

There is also a wider workforce issue as some 84% of the musculoskeletal cases in our data involve crew members aged between 30 and 49, people who would generally be considered to be in some of the most active years of their careers.

For an industry already concerned about retaining experienced seafarers, this matters. Retention is often discussed in terms of pay, career progression and working conditions, but physical health also influences how long someone can realistically continue working at sea. Recurring back, knee or shoulder problems can eventually make moving ashore a physical necessity rather than a career choice.

Prevention therefore needs to combine good ergonomics, safe working practices and appropriate strength and mobility programmes with a culture where people feel comfortable reporting problems early. Crew members should not believe that mentioning persistent pain automatically puts their position onboard at risk.

There is a practical business case too as repatriation means arranging travel, finding a replacement and managing the impact of an unexpected absence, with the disruption particularly significant when senior or specialist crew are involved.

If 72% of the musculoskeletal cases we encounter can be treated successfully onboard, there is a clear opportunity to prevent some of that disruption while protecting the health and careers of seafarers.

Physical discomfort may come with a demanding job, but persistent pain should not simply be accepted as part of life at sea. Earlier access to clinical support gives both the seafarer and the operator more options, and can prevent a manageable health problem from becoming a reason to go home.