What Protective Clothing Should Mariners Wear Offshore?

It's no secret that mariners make up some of the most dangerous careers around the world. They face a wide range of life-threatening possibilities on every voyage, and injuries at sea are not uncommon. Some of the most important tools that offshore workers can use to prevent or reduce damage include the safety gear that they take and/or use on each voyage.

Life jackets are essential to every mariner to combat the inevitable possibilities posed by the ocean. They can protect workers from drowning, as well as enable them to store essential items like flashlights, whistles, and flares, while at sea, and some even protect against fires, chemicals, and adverse temperatures.

Types of life jackets include:

• Gaia: These jackets use organic materials for floatation, for a more environmentally conscious jacket than others. They also provide a certain amount of protection against both cold and heat.
• Kapok: Made from the Kapok tree, the fluffy materials that give this jacket buoyancy are light and durable, but they are also flammable.
• PVC: The most commonly used type, these jackets resist hazardous chemicals, oil, fire, and difficult temperatures.

Goggles are essential in protecting workers' eyes from irritation from water, chemicals, and debris. Eyesight is essential when on board, and protecting it may be overlooked, but it is extremely important to protect all parts of mariners' bodies for the short and long term.

Thermal gear can protect mariners from cold temperatures and the illnesses that can come with them. If a worker should fall overboard, warm layers can be vital in preventing hypothermia and other harm.

For those sailing through waters with a chance of encounters with pirates, mariners may be advised to wear body armor of some kind or to keep some on board in case of an incident. These can reduce damage from bullets, knifes, or blunt trauma if crewmen should find themselves in danger from pirates.

Accidents are inevitable in maritime work, but injuries and damage can be greatly reduced by diligently using and maintaining safety gear. If any supervisors, managers, or companies detract from a worker's ability to adequately make use of their safety gear, they could be held liable for injuries that occur. If you have been injured while working offshore, contact our offshore injury attorneys today for a free consultation.