A comparison of health data from River Forth pilots in Scotland: in 1988 and 2012

Abstract

Background: Marine pilots are a special group of seafarers who live ashore and work on board only when piloting. Few studies have reported on their health.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the health data collected during routine medical examinations in 1988 and 2012.

Materials and methods: Data collected from medical examinations of 44 marine pilots in 1988 were compared with data collected from 27 marine pilots in 2012. These data were compared with general population and maritime studies.

Results: There was a reduction in number of pilots who smoked, from 41% to 7%. Small improvements in health risk factors were found in reported alcohol intake, prescribed medication, blood pressure and urinalysis. There was an increase in the number of pilots classed as overweight or obese from 45% to 67%.

Conclusions: Observed changes suggest that pilots in 2012 have less cardiovascular risk than pilots in 1988. Smoking levels in River Forth Pilots reduced from 41% to 7% between 1988 and 2012. If the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were to collect and store routine health data electronically, rather than on paper, a large database of seafarers’ health data could be analysed in the future.