A doctor on deck

Telemedicine comes to the fishing industry

SOUTH AFRICA: 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. In many cases, 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. The system can also capture medical data for later review if connectivity is limited. 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.”

The aim is not only to treat medical issues when they arise but also to identify potential problems early. The diagnostic tools allow crews and doctors to monitor chronic conditions, track treatment compliance and flag health concerns before they escalate into emergencies. The system can also be used to monitor crew members who are unwell and temporarily removed from duty while recovering on board.

“Fishing vessels operate in environments where medical help is often days away,” Gerdharee explains. “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, rather than waiting until they reach port or emergency diversions have to take place.”

Beyond the technology itself, the Ocean Doctor service includes round-the-clock medical support. Skippers can contact doctors effortlessly via WhatsApp or telephone to obtain general medical advice, arrange consultations or discuss symptoms. Where necessary, a full telemedicine consultation can be scheduled, allowing doctors to review diagnostic data captured by the DOD kit and provide treatment recommendations.

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 also facilitate referrals for emergency care or specialised medical treatment where necessary.

Addressing real challenges

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. In some cases, skippers must decide whether to continue fishing or divert to shore without the benefit of professional medical advice. Ocean Doctor’s system removes much of this uncertainty by giving skippers immediate access to medical expertise.

Crew members also benefit from improved access to healthcare. Many have limited opportunities to consult doctors, particularly for chronic conditions that require ongoing monitoring. The telemedicine system allows crew members to raise medical concerns privately and receive professional advice without leaving the vessel.

According to Gerdharee, this improved access to healthcare can provide peace of mind not only for crew members but also for their families, who can feel confident their loved ones are cared for while working at sea.

From a vessel operator’s perspective, Ocean Doctor contributes to broader occupational health and safety objectives. 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.

PHOTO: Dr Sage Gerdharee, a medical doctor and founder member of Ocean Doctor, discusses the contents and capability of the Doctor on Deck kit with Ohann Westraadt, skipper of the Sea Harvest vessel Laverne.

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