The sailors more often than other professional groups are forced to work in extreme conditions associated with heat, humidity and low temperatures (passage of tropical and northern latitudes). Therefore, they are at risk of development of various diseases and the most dangerous are cardiovascular ones. Despite taken protective measures, the number of crew members of merchant marine vessel complaining on poor well-being continues to increase, including at the expense of disorders of heart and vascular functioning. With purpose to enhance measures preventing development of cardiovascular diseases that currently are not always detected during pre-voyage medical examination and result in health deterioration and lethal outcomes, the article proposes a number of practical recommendations. It is relevant to carry out genetic examination before starting voyage in order to identify risks of development of occupational diseases in sailors older than 40 years. To equip vessel with portable cardiograph will contribute to timely detection of physiological changes in heart functioning of of crew member and will reduce possibility of occurrence of life-threatening conditions. The issuing of voluntary medical insurance program will permit to apply more in-depth diagnostics with purpose to increase possibility to detect cardiovascular diseases at early stage.

climate conditions, heat, cold, ship, crew member, occupational diseases, preventive measures, health protection.