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A marine chemist is an environmental, occupational safety and health professional who is involved in the study of the chemical processes and the composition of marine water bodies.

This can involve a wide range of parameters including the monitoring of dissolved inorganic chemicals and the chemistry of particulate organic matter. A major use of marine chemistry is through pollution regulation and monitoring in marine environmental protection. Non-departmental government agencies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency use marine chemists in their monitoring of shellfish growing waters, bathing waters, coastal and estuarine waters for the regulation and enforcement of governmental environmental policy and treaties such as the Water Framework Directive.

A Marine Chemist is also a trained professional who is responsible for ensuring that repair and construction of marine vessels can be made in safety whenever those repairs might result in fire, explosion, or exposure to toxic vapors or chemicals. By virtue of his or her training, experience, and education, the Marine Chemist is uniquely qualified as a specialist in confined space safety and atmospheric sampling or monitoring. Marine Chemist Association

Why do we need Marine Chemist? Lets take a moment to examine that question. Basic ship design... open decks and enclosed spaces for cargoes... has remained basically unchanged for decades. Structural materials and methods have changed, but in principle, the basic design concept has been the same for centuries. Today's cargoes, however, have shifted to a greater number of toxic substances. That has added the health concern of toxicity to the existing safety concerns of fire and explosion, not just during a voyage, but even when a vessel is in a shipyard for routine maintenance and repair.

In 1963, the National Fire Protection Association National Fire Protection Association assumed jurisdiction over the Marine Chemist program. The NFPA continues to oversee the profession which is based on the NFPA Standard 306: Standard for Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels. NFPA Marine Chemist Info