The primary target audience for the book are maritime health professionals, including physicians, nurses, occupational health advisers and others. It is anticipated that uses will include:

• As a reference book to help respond to questions that arise in maritime health practice
• As support to formal training courses in maritime health
• As a self-directed distance learning aid for those wishing to improve and enhance their understanding of maritime health.
• As a source of text to indicate features of maritime health practice or to support advice being given, for example, in the making of policy or within case reports.

It is also expected that other potential users are:

• Other health professionals who want background information on maritime health
• Other health professionals who wish to obtain information on specific maritime health issues
• Other people in the maritime sector who need background information on health issues
• Other people in the maritime sector who wish to obtain information on specific maritime health issues
• Web searchers of all backgrounds who ask a question that relates to maritime health.

We have attempted to ensure that maritime terms are described in ways suitable for a non-maritime audience and medical terms and concepts are described in a way that is appropriate for non-medical professionals accessing the textbook. However we have also tried to ensure that this does not detract from the content and level of detail that can be found throughout the textbook. When we feel they may be useful we have used explanatory pop ups to give additional information.