”I like work. 
I like hard work.

But I don’t like stupid work.”

As members of the research group at Kalmar Maritime Academy, we study issues regarding the working life, working environment and maritime safety through various projects. 

The shipboard working life has many similarities with other workplaces on shore, but in some ways work at sea is clearly different. If something happens, it must be solved on board by the crew. It is not possible to just moor the ship, ask someone outside to come and solve the problem, or go home and try again another day.

As the ship is both a working and living environment, where the boundaries between work and leisure are blurred, the crew is dependent on good cooperation around the clock. Many jobs involve a high physical and mental workload with limited possibilities for the crew to influence their own working conditions.

The job at sea can sometimes be tough but also fun and rewarding.