ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the working and living conditions on board ships. It begins with explaining the organisational structure onboard and the multinational working environment, which reflects the global nature of the labour market. It then moves on to discuss the current challenges and problems associated with working at sea, including long-term separation from family, isolation and boredom caused by living in a confined space, the lack of shore leave, work intensification and fatigue as a consequence of reduced crew size, threats of maritime piracy and criminalisation, health issues, and negative experiences when dealing with port personnel. All these issues pose challenges to living and working on board ships and are detrimental to seafarers’ desire to stay at sea. As such, they affect the recruitment and retention of seafarers.
