5^th–7^th June 2013, Brest, France – 12^th International Symposium on Maritime Health

The French Society of Maritime Medicine has been chosen as the organizer of the 12th International Symposium on Maritime Health, which will be held in 2013, in the port of Brest (France).

Historically, France is a great maritime nation, and Brest is one of her most prestigious ports. The great explorers Bougainville, La Pérouse, Kerguelen, La Fayette and many other world renowned seafarers set sail from this port. It was at Brest in 1731 that a school of naval medicine was set up, which has acquired a name during its 330 years of existence for being in the forefront of anatomy, surgery and naval medicine. One of the most illustrious students was Calmette.

Today, the port of Brest is a major centre for naval shipbuilding, and it was here that the most advanced nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was built. It is also the largest French port for repair and maintenance of civilian ships. The town has recently benefited from a brand new international airport, and is the home of the largest centre of oceanographic research in France, Ifremer.

In the far west of Brittany (Brest being the capital of the area) one finds the greatest concentration in France of fishing ports, both small boats and industrial trawlers. It is a region of seafarers where pleasure boating is also very important, despite the currents, tides and tricky access, since the beauty of the rocky coastline is recognised world wide. The west coast of Brittany is one of the most important tourist regions of our country, which itself is one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world. Marine traffic is heavy, since it is the entry port for the Channel which leads to the great ports of northern Europe.

Brest is the French town with the greatest involvement in maritime medicine. Since 1998, the university has offered a diploma course in maritime medicine and has trained numerous doctors from France and Francophone countries in occupational maritime medicine and port health, medicine on board, and maritime emergency medicine. The university has thus naturally become the social centre of the French Society of Maritime Medicine (SFMM).

The team at Brest is already poised to prepare the 12^th ISMH in the very best environment, and we look forward to offering you a wonderful stay with us.

Dr. Dominique Jégaden
Président SFMM, Chairman ISMH 12

Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter: www.ismh12.org