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Maritime Safety and Health Studies: Maritime Industries

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Maritime Industries

The Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies (CMSHS) promotes safety and health for all maritime workers, including those employed on vessels, at waterfront facilities working in and around vessels, and on shore directly supporting marine operations. Each of these unique work environments pose different challenges to ensuring worker safety and health. Some of these challenges are seen dockside at shipyards and marine terminals, while other hazards are unique to vessels operating in commercial fishing, freight transportation, and passenger service. Workers in marine industries are at higher risk for work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. The CMSHS has identified seven maritime industries as research priority areas: shipyards, marine terminals and port operations, marine transportation, seafood processing, commercial fishing, aquaculture, and commercial diving.

Shipyards

Shipyard workers are involved in the manufacture, repair, maintenance, and dismantling of boats and ships.

Marine Terminals

Marine terminals are the points of transfer for cargo loading and unloading as it is transferred from ships to rail and trucks.

Marine Transportation

Marine transportation workers perform various tasks while working on waterborne vessels that transport goods and people, or perform services.

Seafood Processing

Seafood processing involves preparing seafood for delivery to the consumer after it is harvested, including tasks such as eviscerating, freezing, canning, and packaging the product.

Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing involves the harvest of fish and other seafood from their natural habitats and requires the use of specialized vessels.

Aquaculture

The aquaculture industry is engaged in the raising and production of plants or animals in either a controlled farm environment or selected aquatic environments.

Commercial Diving

Commercial divers perform a variety of tasks underwater, from maintenance and repair to scientific research.

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