The aim of the new format is to make the information more logical to access and to improve the presentation on smart phones and tablets as used by so many. We have also improved the off line presentation and, after registration, the whole book can be downloaded to a laptop, PC, smart phone or tablet for ease of access even when the internet is not available. This does however come with a word of warning – the many links included as cross references or additional sources of information will not be available if you are using the book offline. 

The aim of the extended range of topics is to consider the health and welfare of the seafarer in its widest sense. Hence many new topics have been added or extended and we have reduced the focus on the management of some clinical issues that were present in previous editions. This textbook is in no way meant to replace the International Medical Guide for Ships (IMGS) produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or a national equivalent that all ships must carry as laid out in the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006). 

We were also keen to explore the medical, health and wellbeing of workers in all sectors of the maritime industry and with that aim in mind, have included more information about the industry and the different challenges faced.