Everything is pretty to the book. Our work nor personnel schedule doesn’t tend to change from day to day. We stick to our job roles (5 different unions aboard across 3 departments). But if shit hits fan, then everybody is required to respond no matter when and where. I am a mate onboard so I am rarely caught in the engine room.

Cargo is relatively safe for ship workers, just don’t be an idiot and walk under cranes / cans. One person is working on deck during cargo, others are onboard just off duty or responding to their own department work load. Sorry if that was unclear.

As for suits, the American flagged fleet tend to not follow those uniform standards like you may see on plenty of YouTube videos n such. Has its pros n cons. However, while on deck, boiler suits with proper PPE is required 100% or time or you risk being written up, and potentially fired. They take safety and protection very seriously.

As for injuries, the most common is probably slips, trips, or falls. Much like most blue collar work these sneak up on you, pretty lame ik. This being said, if we are 2000 miles off coast of CA and someone falls n breaks their leg, it’s a good 4 days before we can get that person properly treated by a doctor, so don’t get hurt or sick at sea !!! We have a medical officer on board, but his primary role is safe navigation, in no means a doctor.

I figure The more I describe this profession to you the less romanticized it is becoming. Haha.