A doctor on deck: Telemedicine comes to the fishing industry
A team of young South African doctors is harnessing rapid advances in communications technology to deliver professional medical care to fishing crews at sea, while helping vessel operators avoid operational downtime and costly diversions to port.
For fishing vessels operating far offshore, often for weeks at a time, access to medical care has always been a challenge. Often, a vessel’s skipper must assess medical situations or potential emergencies with limited medical expertise and only basic equipment on hand. A new South African initiative aims to change that by bringing professional healthcare directly to vessels through telemedicine technology.
Ocean Doctor, a maritime healthcare solutions provider, has developed an integrated medical support system designed specifically for the fishing and maritime industries. The service combines portable diagnostic technology with 24/7 access to a dedicated team of qualified doctors, enabling skippers and crew members to consult medical professionals in real time while operating far from shore.
The system is built around what Ocean Doctor calls the Doc on Deck (DOD) kit, a portable telemedicine unit that enables skippers and senior officers to conduct medical assessments and transmit data directly to doctors on shore. Designed for maritime conditions, the kit is housed in a rugged, portable case and includes a range of diagnostic tools such as a digital stethoscope, dermascope, otoscope, glucometer, pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor. Together, these instruments enable non-medical crew members to capture diagnostic information which can be used by doctors to diagnose and treat a number of acute and chronic conditions.
With this information transmitted in real time, doctors can conduct remote consultations and advise skippers and senior officers on how to manage medical conditions on board. All that is required is a Wi-Fi connection, allowing the kit to function as a plug-and-play medical support solution for vessels at sea.
“Everything is easy to use,” says Dr Sage Gerdharee, a medical doctor and founder member of Ocean Doctor. “With this basic suite of instruments we are able to diagnose conditions, monitor health and track illness among members of a fishing crew. Fishing vessels operate in environments where medical help is often days away. Our goal is to bring the doctor as close to the vessel as possible so that crews can receive professional medical advice when they need it.”
Skippers can contact doctors via WhatsApp or telephone to obtain general medical advice, arrange consultations or discuss symptoms. Where necessary, a full telemedicine consultation can be scheduled.
If a crew member requires further care once the vessel returns to port, Ocean Doctor also offers dockside consultations, including follow-up appointments, chronic condition check-ups and treatment of minor injuries. The service can facilitate referrals for emergency care or specialised medical treatment.
Ocean Doctor addresses several longstanding operational challenges for vessel operators. Medical issues at sea can force vessels to return to port, resulting in costly disruptions to fishing operations.
The telemedicine system allows crew members to raise medical concerns privately and receive professional advice without leaving the vessel. This improved access to healthcare can provide peace of mind not only for crew members but also for their families, knowing their loved ones are cared for while working at sea.
Providing access to medical care at sea supports compliance with maritime health standards and international labour guidelines while demonstrating a commitment to crew welfare. Gerdharee notes that preventing even a single unnecessary return to port could potentially cover the cost of the DOD kit and several years of subscription services.
“Ocean Doctor sits at the intersection of maritime operations, risk mitigation and workplace sustainability, transforming the healthcare of fishing crews from a cost centre into a strategic operational asset,” concludes Gerdharee.
