Maritime medicine refers to the care of sick and injured patients on a variety of seafaring vessels in remote areas of the world. The scope of this field of medicine is broad and includes patients of all ages, with every conceivable form of illness or traumatic injury. The unique aspects of maritime medicine are a result of the characteristic problems encountered by those at sea, the logistical difficulties of assessing and treating these patients on the vessel, and the difficulty in arranging and monitoring definitive care.

Thousands of Americans are employed on transport or fishing ships around the world, and another 4 million people travel on ocean-going cruise vessels each year.<sup>2 DiGiovanna T., Rosen T., Forsett R. , et al. Shipboard medicine: A new niche for emergency medicine Ann Emerg Med 1992 ;  21 : 1476-1479  [cross-ref]

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> Millions more engage in recreational boating activities, often far removed from the nearest medical facility of emergency medical services (EMS) access. The level of care on these vessels varies widely, from the cruise ship physician, to the nurse or paramedic aboard a large ship, to the designated medical officer on smaller vessels. It is essential that the maritime telemedicine physician has an understanding of the unique medical problems encountered at sea, a familiarity with the personnel aboard ship, and an appreciation for the resources available for managing the problem or arranging an emergent evacuation.