Category: <span>Insights</span>
Safety at Sea Starts in the Mind
The importance of psychological safety at sea cannot be overstated. By its very nature, working at sea in a small, highly interdependent group performing dangerous and demanding work requires a high level of psychological safety. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of psychological safety, its benefits, and what can happen when maritime workers feel…
Health and Safety: Two Sides of the Same Coin
When we use the phrase “safety at sea,” we’re actually referring to a multifaceted concept that includes procedures, measures and equipment that keep both vessel and crew safe, or that can be called on in an emergency. A number of forces and factors work interdependently to influence safety at sea, and health is one of…
Exploring Maritime Medical Emergency Trends from VIKAND Insights
Delivering better medical care at sea starts with understanding the unique healthcare challenges faced by those onboard. VIKAND’s Case Management division handles thousands of incidents annually, providing us with valuable data on the causes and outcomes of diverse health events among guests and crew. We recently undertook the task of compiling and analysing our 2023…
Meet the Partners Joining VIKAND at Seatrade 2024
As one of the most important events on the cruise industry’s annual calendar, Seatrade Cruise Global gathers stakeholders from across the world to discuss key industry trends, challenges and opportunities. This year’s event takes place April 8-11 in Miami Beach, Florida, and is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees, including 1,800 executives from over…
Mental Health Resilience at Sea
Working at sea presents many health challenges, from irregular hours to limited food options, to the ever-present risk of accident or injury. However, maritime work also poses threats to mental health – far higher, in fact, than most land-based jobs. Seafarers deal with elevated stress, isolation and loneliness, while women are also at risk for…
Why Telemedicine Alone Isn’t Working
For commercial vessels sailing the world’s oceans, access to telemedicine services can be highly valuable. However, telemedicine has limits, and it is proving itself to be insufficient as a sole maritime healthcare solution with no other support. Telemedicine is more effective as one element of a total healthcare solution that includes proactive care, regular checkups,…
The Benefits of a Guest Medical Screening Solution for Polar Cruise Operators
For polar cruise operators, conducting pre-departure medical screenings can be logistically challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. To make it easier and more affordable for everyone, VIKAND developed a secure, web-based online medical screening platform that guests and operators can access worldwide from any device. The Cost & Impact of a Diversion According to UK tech firm…
VIKAND is Your Guide to Building Shipboard Medical Facilities
Shipboard medical facilities on a cruise liner must be designed and built to support both the people on board and the company’s operational goals. At any given time, a cruise ship may be travelling in remote waters with thousands of passengers and crew and it must be prepared for emergencies large and small. In order…
Remote Seafarers Need Effective Healthcare Solutions
Delivering effective healthcare at sea can be challenging, but especially so in remote parts of the world, where operators are obligated to minimise their impact on the region’s limited resources. Most commercial ships in remote waters operate with a small crew and finite resources, and are minimally equipped to handle anything beyond routine care, such…
Enhancing Seafarer Welfare in the Maritime Industry
As a former seafarer, I have experienced first-hand the challenges seafarers endure in sustaining the maritime industry. Seafarers are the backbone of the maritime sector, playing a critical role in global trade. The recent amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) set to take effect on December 1, 2024, mark a significant milestone in recognizing…