7 July 2021, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA: VIKAND Solutions, LLC— a global maritime medical operations and public health provider— announces the appointment of David Best as Director of Public Health, effective immediately.

Paul Morgan, VIKAND Vice President of Compliance & Quality Assurance, comments, “David brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Maritime Public Health to VIKAND, applying these proficiencies with a very practical and operational approach. It is critically important when applying public health regulations and best practices to the maritime world that they are combined with a multifaceted understanding of regulatory standards and operational challenges for those on board. We are excited to have David bring his insights to Vikand.”

During his 13 years within the maritime industry, David has worked in the container ship, bulk carrier, multipurpose vessel, and cruise sectors, involved directly in multiple aspects of marine operations, insurance, HR and training, safety management and most recently, public health.

Beginning his career working for Rickmers Shipmanagement GmbH & Cie. KG in both Cyprus and Germany, in 2013 David moved to Rostock and joined AIDA Cruises, a German cruise line which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc family. His role included Health, Environmental, Safety and Security as an OHSAS and HESS Superintendent responsible for verifying fleet compliance with all internal and external regulatory requirements.

When Carnival Maritime—the Marine Service Unit for Costa Crociere, AIDA Cruises and Costa Asia—was founded in 2015, David moved to Hamburg, and in 2017, was asked to establish and lead the Costa Group's first centralized Public Health Department in Hamburg.

Joining the Vikand Team as its Director of Public Health, David comments, "I'm both excited and honored to be part of this company, which is so much more than a medical management and public health solutions provider. VIKAND is realizing its potential in the market as a leading communications and logistics organization, at the forefront of innovation and design, supporting clients by communicating effectively for improved business operations. In the context of public health, especially in today's world, there is huge opportunity for improvement in the maritime sector and beyond. VIKAND is leading the way."

David Best is located in Hamburg, Germany.

About VIKAND

VIKAND provides global medical and public health service solutions to the entire maritime industry, including cruise, yacht, superyacht, commercial shipping, fishing, and energy sectors. VIKAND works with more than 200 cruise ship clients—spread over 32 cruise lines—supporting 120,000 crew with medical and mental wellness needs supported by experienced onboard and onshore medical staffs. VIKAND’s proven medical and public health expertise and experience is demonstrated through a proactive and evidence-based healthcare approach, the VIKAND Total Healthcare Solution and is coordinated with global regulatory agencies and industry associations. Solutions encompass 24/7 medical management, public health, and COVID-19 consulting, biomedical equipment maintenance and products, and leading air and surface decontamination solutions. VIKAND recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was awarded the Seatrade Cruise Awards Supplier of the Year 2020 in October. VIKAND has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Hamburg and soon Monaco in addition to having staff located throughout the world.