Digitalised remote health services for seafarers on board vessel

The project aims to design, develop, test and validate an integrated, digitalised remote health service model tailored to the specific needs of seafarers working and living on board vessels. Building on advances in telemedicine, wearable sensors, satellite connectivity and decision-support systems, the project will provide practical tools and protocols to improve access to timely, high-quality medical care at sea, while supporting shipboard personnel in managing health events safely and efficiently.

Constanta Maritime University (CMU) will act as lead coordinator, ensuring scientific quality, methodological coherence and effective collaboration between maritime, medical, IT and industry partners.

Background and rationale

Seafarers face unique health challenges, with long periods away from shore-based healthcare, stressful working environments, limited medical facilities on board, and high variability in medical skills among officers responsible for first aid. Delayed or suboptimal treatment can lead to medical evacuations, costly diversions, and serious health consequences for crew members.

Although telemedicine services for ships exist, they are often fragmented, analogue in nature, or poorly integrated with onboard records and equipment. Connectivity constraints, language barriers, lack of standardised procedures and limited training further reduce the effectiveness and uptake of remote medical support.

Digitalisation, combining secure communication platforms, remote monitoring, decision-support algorithms and up-to-date medical protocols, offers a major opportunity to transform maritime health services. However, there is a need for coordinated research and pilot testing focused specifically on seafarers’ realities, different vessel types, and regulatory frameworks.

Overall aim

To develop and validate a digital, interoperable remote health service model that enhances the prevention, early detection and management of health conditions among seafarers on board vessels.