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摘要

Being at sea carries numerous risks that seafarers have become inured to. Mechanical failure that could lead to catastrophic events, loneliness as crew numbers shrink and attacks by pirates are just some of the situations that are now accepted as 'part of the job' - particularly in this economy, when the guarantee of a steady income often offsets concerns about working conditions. However, every now and then you face a different risk which forces a shift in perspective. The outbreak of the Ebola virus across West Africa is one such incident. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, we are well past the panic that was sweeping across the globe at time of print. With no known cure and a high mortality rate linked to this contagious virus, many counties closed their borders to those trying to flee affected areas and a number of airlines suspended service to the region.