Page 11: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q2 2016)

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David Shubin, Christina DeSimone, Gerry Buss,

CEO, SphereMD CEO, Future Care CEO, TeleMedic Systems

Shipping ? rms who don’t blink an eye streaming World Cup football to an entire ? eet often balk at the onetime cost of medical tools that would enhance service and the health of seafarers.

nects to and control the operation of medical and non-medical cine are typically marketed as (only) emergency response devices in many ways; wirelessly, via cellular, or by wired technology. Buss uses the analogy of the ? re extinguisher connections such as USB or Ethernet (RJ-45). In a nutshell, hanging on the wall. “It’s a pricey piece of equipment, but you the VitalLink3 unit collects data, organizes and then sends the only use it in case of a ? re, so this equipment really has to be information over a data link to the VitalNet server. It can be presented as something that has day-to-day value as opposed con? gured for a number of medical parameters. to sitting there waiting for ‘just in case.’”

Part of the problem is that equipment kits support telemedi- Buss told MarPro, “We provide the tools that use the link to move data to Future Care’s doctors as they provide guidance

The VL3 device in use in a in a hyperbaric chamber located on a vessel to the vessel in response to a telephone call,” adding, “Right in SE Asia operating in support of the oil and gas industry.

now, we’re working on some ideas together, and we’re hop- ing to see some interesting things happen later this year. The equipment I have is presently being used in niche markets in the maritime industry, mostly in the oil and gas industry. If someone wants a good contract, they agree to use this equip- ment as a value added sort of thing. Very similar to the impe- tus provided by the MLC side of things.”

DeSimone agrees that the equipment would make it much easier to do wellness examinations on board the vessel. But, she concedes, one of the reasons that shipowners don’t want video because they think video might work against them in a legal scenario.

From internet to remote monitoring of equipment, shipping has come a long way. The use of more and better technologies to support seafarer health at sea should be given the same pri- ority. In fact, someone’s life may well depend on it.

Credit: Roger Dennerley www.maritimeprofessional.com | Maritime Professional | 11 1-17 Q2 MP2016.indd 11 5/19/2016 10:55:41 AM