Fungi, bacteria and mold aren’t just around-the-house issues. The maritime industry, to what should be to no one’s surprise because of its arena – is profoundly affected by these menaces. Most smaller vessels are afflicted by mold and mildew issues. Larger passenger ships, too, are perfect spots for all of them to flourish, leading to outbreaks of illnesses in the crew ship industry. Spreads of illness are expedited because of the close quarters. It is a massive problem in yachts around the world… They all smell like mildew.

Fungi is everywhere. It is estimated that the average person breathes in thousands of mold spores daily. While many are harmless, others are not. Persistent, safe cleaning of vessels is the best solution. Proactive defenses prevent many of the issues caused by fungi, bacteria and mold. Because mold can adversely impact human health, it makes sense. Mold-induced asthma, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis are just a few of the conditions exposure to mold leads to.

Can Black Mold Kill You?

Every year you hear the stories about the latest outbreak of some disease on a cruise ship. The industry needs to adopt measures to curb theses regular outbreaks.

What the cruise-ship outbreaks reveal about COVID-19: Close confines help the virus to spread, but closed environments are also an ideal place to study how the new coronavirus behaves.

Public Health Responses to COVID-19 Outbreaks on Cruise Ships — Worldwide, February–March 2020

A large outbreak of influenza A and B on a cruise ship causing widespread morbidity

The cruise industry and the COVID-19 outbreak

Norovirus outbreaks on commercial cruise ships: a systematic review and new targets for the public health agenda

Gastroenteritis outbreaks on cruise ships: contributing factors and thresholds for early outbreak detection

Cruise ship nightmare: After measles, norovirus outbreaks, why does anyone still set sail? As an expert in microbiology and infectious diseases, what I see when contemplating a cruise excursion does not sound like a fun vacation.

Cruise Ship Illness: Why Are Ships So Prone to Norovirus Outbreaks?: Nearly 600 people sickened on Caribbean cruise likely have norovirus

Commercial cargo vessels also are greatly impacted by microbiology.

A small outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in a cargo ship under repair

This year numerous high profile military vessels were hit with COVID outbreaks.

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Covid outbreak on Navy flagship