Deaths due to disease of seafarers on board Singapore ships

Based on records kept in the Singapore Mercantile Marine Office, the paper presents the results of a study on deaths due to disease of seafarers on board Singapore ships. Out of a total of 373 deaths, altogether 69 fatalities were attributed to diseases. More than 65% (n=45) of theses deaths were due to circulatory diseases commonly associated with life-style factors, but only 24 cases had a specific and 9 cases had an unspecific diagnosis confirmed by a medical, practitioner. A total of 32 seafarers (46.4%) died of a sudden death and were found dead by their shipmates whereas 17 seafarers (24.6%) died on board after a short illness. In only two cases was it reported that Radio Medical advice had been sought indicating either a lack of interest of the ship's management or a lack of knowledge or information on the availability of such services. Eight of the fatalities who died on board had seen a doctor and been declared fit to stay on board, pointing to deficiencies in the port medical services or pressures on port doctors to avoid a costly repatriation. The mean annual mortality rate for deaths due to all causes was 26.5 per 10,000 seafarers and due to disease was 4.9 per 10,000 seafarers.