The merchant navy is of paramount importance to the global economy. In fact, over 98% of all physical goods are transported by sea at some point. China is the dominant manufacturing hub of the world, yet the largest commercial markets are the US, Europe and Australasia. To get goods from their factories to the shelves and into consumers homes requires a vast fleet of merchant ships, operated by anonymous seafarers who work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to deliver the goods and products we buy.But what do we actually know about the merchant navy and those who sail her ships? This book has been written to provide an introduction to some of the key themes. This book can be used by students on vocational courses and cadetships as well as the general reader who has an interest in the merchant navy. The general reader will find answers to some of the most common questions that people have. The professional seafarer will find this a useful reference while working onboard ship or when studying for any myriad of courses.The key aim of this book is to aid the reader in gaining an appreciation of the main issues facing seafarers at sea. Some of the themes covered include: - What the merchant navy is- Types of ships in the merchant navy- Regulatory framework including SOLAS, MARPOL and ISPS- Cargo handling and cargo safety- Firefighting at sea- Why accidents and incidents happen- Lifesaving appliances and equipment- Abandoning shipTo aid the reader, the book contains almost 100 photographs and images to support key thematic areas. There are also 11 case studies highlighting the hazards and dangers of working at sea