During the challenging times arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Inmarsat investigates the role of technology in enhancing crew welfare onboard, health and wellbeing at sea.
Specifically, “Welfare 2.0: How can the next generation of technology enable better crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea?” report focuses on the contribution of technology in the life of a seafarer.
The new report explores the factors that impact crew safety, welfare and learning, and highlights those companies working to address the pain points.
It reveals that, while the maritime industry prides itself that seafarer safety and welfare is its highest priority, lack of investment in the digitalised technologies benefiting worker welfare, particularly compared to investment in other sectors, undermines the narrative.
In light of the report, Ronald Spithout, president, Inmarsat Maritime commented that
When we first discussed this report last year with the author and the welfare organisations and charities we work closely with, none of us could have foreseen the impact that COVID-19 would have on the world, shipping, seafarers and their families … However, even then, we all felt that safety and crew welfare was being left behind in the technology stakes and much more needed to be done to look at how it could help improve the lives of seafarers.
The report strongly recommends the value that data models capturing, storing and analysing factors contributing to seafarer health, welfare, and safety can have in shipping. The author cites one key insight as an alarming disparity between cardiovascular-related deaths at sea and available information, support and tools that minimise risks and deal with emergencies. The report shows how fleet managers could look to invest in various digital seafarer monitoring and awareness tools specific to cardiovascular health.
To learn more about the report click here.