SEAFARERS are often hundreds of miles from shore when illness, accident or injury takes place onboard, thus leaving them without internet and dangerously far from the nearest hospital, said International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) General Secretary Stephen Cotton as he welcomed a new medical guide for ships from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

'In those circumstances, having up-to-date medical guidance to hand can make a real difference for limiting adverse health and safety outcomes for seafarers and fishers.'