Rugged telemedicine kit puts a doctor at sea with your crew
Plug-and-play telemedicine kit gives crews 24-hour access to qualified doctors and an operational edge to vessel owners
Ocean Doctor, a maritime healthcare solutions provider, has launched an integrated telemedicine system built specifically for the maritime and fishing industry, giving vessel owners and crews round-the-clock access to qualified medical doctors regardless of how far they are from shore.
At the centre of the offering is the SAHPRA-approved, DOD Kit (Doc on Deck), a rugged, weatherproof hardware case designed for the marine environment. It houses a full suite of diagnostic instruments, including - among others - a digital stethoscope, otoscope and dermascope, together with a glucometer, blood pressure monitor and 3-lead ECG for capturing vital signs. A Microsoft tablet running encrypted telemedicine software connects the kit to Ocean Doctor’s own team of doctors via live video consultation, while a power bank and USB hub keep the unit field-ready.
The DOD Kit: Doc on Deck
A purpose-built, rugged telemedicine hardware kit designed for the marine environment. Presented in a weatherproof case, it contains everything the Ocean Doctors need to assess your crew remotely:
◼︎ Vitals Suite: Pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and 3-lead ECG.
◼︎ Diagnostic Tools: Digital otoscope, dermascope, stethoscope and more.
◼︎ Point-of-Care Testing: Urine test strips, Cardiac Trop-T Rapid test, Glucometer.
◼︎ Microsoft Tablet: Encrypted telemedicine software for live and cached video consultations.
The hardware is paired with an encrypted web platform that supports live and scheduled consultations; on-deck monitoring of unwell crew; secure health records and reporting for vessel owners.
Getting started requires nothing more than a WiFi connection. Captains and crew can reach out via WhatsApp or phone and the Ocean Doctor’s team assesses the situation; a consultation is booked or begins immediately, and a diagnosis and thorough treatment plan follow. In addition, where required, Ocean Doctor provides appropriate follow-up on deck or once the vessel is back in port, enabling crews to receive care for minor surgical procedures as well. This prevents delay and downtime for operations.
The DOD Kit and Services
Through innovative, SAHPRA-approved telemedicine technology, the team of doctors provide comprehensive medical access to vessels in offshore environments — ensuring crew health, and operational optimisation.
◼︎ Encrypted Telemedicine Web App.
◼︎ A secure, purpose-built digital platform powers every consultation. It supports live video, delayed consult uploads, on-deck patient monitoring, secure crew health records and reporting for vessel owners.
◼︎ Live and Scheduled: 24/7 medical consultations are available via phone, WhatsApp, or video.
◼︎ On-Deck Monitoring: The system supports remote patient monitoring of unwell, “benched” crew members at sea.
◼︎ Full Prescription and Referral Service: Prescriptions, pathology, imaging and referral coordination is provided.
◼︎ Owner Reports: The service includes reporting and support for vessel owners and company management.
Because the service does not depend on the DOD Kit alone, general medical advice and medical queries are all available by phone or WhatsApp at any hour.
For an industry where medical issues can force costly diversions and where crew often spend weeks at a time far from a doctor, the service is aimed squarely at the operational and welfare pressures vessel owners face daily. Early intervention at sea can prevent an unplanned and costly return to port, while ongoing access to a doctor supports crew wellbeing, worker’s rights and alignment with international ESG standards. As an employee cost, the service is also fully tax deductible. Ocean Doctor also saves company costs by streamlining and optimising medication requisition lists, and auditing medication use on board.
The Impact at Sea
Every consultation, every intervention, every crew member cared for onboard adds up to safer operations, better companies (and catches), and crews that come home healthy.
◼︎ Enhanced Crew Wellbeing: Crew members and their families have peace of mind at sea — feeling protected, cared for, and valued by their employers through genuine access to healthcare.
◼︎ Company Operations Optimised: Minimised unplanned returns to shore through early intervention — saving fuel costs, sea-time, and operational disruption for vessel owners.
◼︎ Empowered Captains: Captains are relieved of the burden of judging medical severity alone — with expert guidance to make informed, defensible decisions at sea at the push of a button.
◼︎ Increased Productivity: Healthier crews stay offshore longer and return with higher morale — directly improving fleet efficiency and company profitability.
“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,” says Dr Sage Gerdharee, CEO of Ocean Doctor.
Vessel owners, fishing companies and maritime operators wanting to bring Ocean Doctor on board can reach the team on WhatsApp at 060 520 0178, by phone on 021 330 5832, or by email at info@oceandoctor.co.za. More information is available at www.oceandoctor.co.za.
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