UV exposure and skin cancer prevention

Bridge officers + deck crew have among the highest UV exposure of any occupation. Skin cancer is a career-hazard hiding in plain sight.

Reflected UV off the sea surface can be 20-30% higher than terrestrial UV at the same latitude. Bridge officers on wing-bridge watches, deck cadets on cargo operations, and any crew on tanker main-deck rounds accumulate substantial cumulative UV exposure. Basal cell + squamous cell carcinomas are common in older mariners; melanoma is less common but potentially fatal.

Practical steps

• Broad-brimmed hat + UV-rated wraparound sunglasses on watch. Not baseball caps — full ears + neck coverage.
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ on all exposed skin; reapply every 2 hours regardless of cloud cover.
• Long-sleeved cotton/polyester coveralls for deck work between 10:00 and 15:00 local time.
• Annual skin check with a dermatologist during vacation — catch pre-cancerous lesions early.

When to escalate

• Any new mole, freckle, or lesion that grows/changes colour/bleeds — see a dermatologist at next port.
• Actinic keratosis (rough scaly patches on sun-exposed skin) — treatable ashore; addressed early prevents progression.
• Anyone treated for one skin cancer needs 6-monthly follow-up.

Last verified 3 months ago