Enhancing Seafarers' Health through Digital Technologies
In an innovative move to improve the well-being of seafarers worldwide, a Hamburg project team has developed digital tools for health management on board merchant ships. The project, known as E-Healthy Ship, has been funded by the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE), the Hamburg Authority for Health and Consumer Protection (BGV), and the project partners themselves, with a total volume of around 1.8 million euros.
The E-Healthy Ship project, recognized for making a model contribution to the exchange between business and science, has presented its results, which include an E-learning platform and software modules for a maritime computer program. The E-learning platform, developed by the scientific team of the Central Institute for Occupational Medicine and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), is an institution of the Hamburg justice authority, closely linked to the medical department of the University of Hamburg, contains a wealth of resources to promote health and well-being among seafarers.
The platform offers tips on nutrition, sports, mental health, sleep quality, relaxation techniques, learning courses, weekly quizzes, a cookbook, and a tool for ordering food. It aims to provide crew members with the means to independently access their own illness and treatment cases, with the option of digitally keeping sick books on board. Furthermore, medicines on board can be centrally managed and issued.
To increase motivation and regular use of the E-learning platform, shipping companies can opt to implement an individual performance-based evaluation in points. Prof. Dr. Volker Harth, director of ZfAM, expressed satisfaction with the project, stating that it has shown the expansion of health promotion and health protection on board through digital learning and digitally enabled interaction.
The project team has developed new health-related modules for the existing application "Cloud Fleet Manager" of the Hamburg software developer Hanseaticsoft. This collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive solution that caters to the unique needs of the maritime industry.
With over 1.5 million people worldwide working as seafarers, the impact of the E-Healthy Ship project could be significant in enhancing the health and well-being of this workforce. The project's interdisciplinary structure, which brings together experts from the fields of medicine, IT, and maritime industry, reflects a forward-thinking approach to addressing the challenges faced by seafarers in the digital age.
Besides the EFRE, BGV, and the project partners, the Mittelspender (funders) of the E-Healthy Ship project included the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Hamburg Maritime Cluster. This diverse funding base underscores the broad recognition of the project's potential to transform the maritime industry for the better.
In conclusion, the E-Healthy Ship project represents a promising step towards improving the health and well-being of seafarers through digital means. By providing crew members with easy access to health resources, centralizing medicine management, and encouraging regular learning and self-care, the project aims to create a healthier and more productive workforce in the maritime industry.
