A Public Health Officer on board a vessel is responsible for ensuring health and sanitation standards on the ship comply with international regulations and company policies. From conducting regular inspections of food and water safety, to providing ongoing health and hygiene training, as well as monitoring the health status of crew and passengers, it’s a high-responsibility job that blends both technical expertise with real-world impact.
Dora Markuz gives us some insight into a day in the life as Public Health Officer aboard Aroya adding that in fact there is no ‘typical working day’ in her role. “Every day is different, and even if you schedule things ahead, the environment is constantly changing, so you have to adapt to it the best that you can,” she explains.
“Generally, the working week consists of conducting regular scheduled and random (surprise) inspections in all hotel areas, especially in food preparation and service areas, conducting training sessions in a classroom setting and on the spot in a work setting, and auditing logs and checklist to make sure each department is following the health and hygiene standards.” She shares that she likes to work on coming up with creative solutions to make the operation more efficient, adding that “this is the part I enjoy the most since I get to brainstorm with other Officers and crew on board to develop a system which works best for all of us and makes work easier and quicker for our crew.”
When it comes to training and education, what is the role they play in building a culture of public health awareness and resilience amongst the crew? “Continuous training and development are key to keeping a clean and illness-free ship” highlights Dora, adding, “usually, the focus of the Public Health Officer drifts the most towards food and beverage-related areas, and often the other hotel sub-departments are neglected. I like to focus my attention to all crew awareness, especially when it comes to outbreak prevention, pest management and public health guidelines for personal safety.”
Dora explains that all crew need to attend the Public Health Induction and Medical Induction upon joining the ship; a tool provided to crew to familiarise themselves with important procedures on board. “I like to expand on this and provide tailor-made trainings to each department to better explain Public Health regulations in their designated areas,” she says.
Maintaining a good relationship with all departments on board, not just hotel sub-departments, is essential in maintaining high health and hygiene standards, outlines Dora. “Ultimately, we are all in the same boat, pun intended, and we need to work as a team to ensure a safe working environment for our crew, and a care-free vacation for our guests.”
So, how does a Public Health Officer like herself ensure mental health is considered alongside physical health in its public health strategy? “Mental health is one of the most important factors to keeping a safe and healthy environment on board,” clarifies Dora, adding, “my priority will always be the crew. If our crew is happy, it will always reflect on how they treat our guests. I always encourage crew members to reach out if they need additional support or someone to talk to. It’s important to provide a safe space for people to address their concerns. Everyone needs someone they trust to go to when times get hard, and I try to be that someone for our crew.”
As for one of the most rewarding experiences she’s ever had during her time in the industry, Dora shares, “The best reward you can get as a Public Health Officer is a clean and infection-free ship. This is what every PHO strives for, as it validates their efforts during their contract.”
