In the maritime industry, the health and safety of crew members are of paramount importance. When a crew member presents with a high fever after traveling to a vessel, it highlights the critical need for effective case management, stresses Arthur Diskin, Global Chief Strategy Officer, AP Companies.
Arthur L. Diskin • 13 Sep 2024
As technology continues to revolutionize every aspect of our lives, its influence is even permeating healthcare on the open seas, argues Arthur Diskin, Global Chief Strategy Officer, AP Companies.
Arthur L. Diskin • 1 Jun 2024
Crystol Lasley, Director of Maritime Operations at AP Companies Global Solutions, encourages us to question both the “whys” and “hows” in every situation in order to gain a broader perspective. She emphasizes the importance of leading by example, as doing so inspires the team to follow suit.
Crystol Lasley • 9 Sep 2024
The wellness of crew members in the maritime industry is of paramount importance not only for the individuals themselves but also for the overall safety and efficiency of the industry, highlights Arthur Diskin, Global Chief Strategy Officer, AP Companies.
Arthur L. Diskin • 1 Apr 2024
Mental health issues in seafarers have always been a concern, but the impact of COVID-19 heightened these issues even more and brought the issue into the open. Crew members faced a multitude of additional stressors while at sea during COVID, including concerns about family at home (especially if they were from high COVID prevalence countries), prolonged length of contracts (up to 400,000 seafarers beyond 8 months at one point), multiple extended contracts, travel restrictions getting home, inability to be present to mourn deceased relatives, forbidden or greatly limited shore leave and financial stressors. These were added to the everyday stressors potentially experienced by all crew such as strained interpersonal relationships in closed quarters with long contracts, threats of violence, sleep disturbances, boredom, low job satisfaction. performance of same job for prolonged periods – especially if high risk positions, and lack of communication with friends and family back home.
Dr. Arthur L. Diskin • 9 apr 2024
Pre-employment medical examinations (PEME) play a crucial role in ensuring the health and wellness of seafarers in the cruise and commercial maritime sectors. Ship owners and operators rely on PEMEs to assess the fitness of potential employees for the demanding and often challenging environment of working at sea. These medical assessments are essential for maintaining the safety and well-being of crew members, passengers, and the vessel itself. However, balancing the needs of the company with international maritime regulations is vital to ensure compliance with industry standards and promote a healthy workforce. Additional factors such as considering age and nationality-specific screenings and mental health assessments are necessary to ensure a healthy and well-cared-for crew.
Dr. Arthur L. Diskin • 8 May 2024
Seafarers on cruise ships and commercial vessels often face occupational hazards that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, particularly back pain. The physical demands of maritime work and the challenging environment make it essential to accurately assess seafarers’ clinical conditions, determine when maximum medical improvement (MMI) occurs, and evaluate their fitness for duty (FFD) for their specific onboard responsibilities.
Dr. Arthur L. Diskin • 24 Sep 2024
The maritime industry is crucial to global commerce and tourism, employing thousands of crew members on cruise and cargo ships. Among the many challenges faced by these crew members, health-related issues, including injuries and illnesses, are prominent. In managing these health concerns, two critical terms are often used: Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and Fitness for Duty (FFD). Both concepts play significant roles in the treatment, recovery, and employment status of ill and injured crew members, yet they serve different purposes and must be determined with care. Moreover, laws like the Jones Act underpin the rights of maritime workers, further complicating the landscape.
Dr. Arthur L. Diskin • 27 Aug 2024
Does your PEME include Dental? This question may sound both weird and obvious. The Hand book for seafarer medical examiners advises: Seafarers should be advised, prior to their appointment, that a fitness certificate will not be issued if there is evidence of poor dental health. If they have not had a dental check up in the last year, have any dental symptoms or missing fillings they should be advised to make a dental appointment prior to the medical in order to save time, should their dental fitness be in doubt.
The pressure on the mental and physical health of seafarers, who work in harsh environments and under constant pressure and increased responsibility, means that management of mental health continues to be a problem that is very difficult to approach and resolve
Elena Donina Glukhman • 3 Oct 2022
Largely unappreciated and undervalued, seafarers today are at last being recognized for the critical role they play in the global economy. Keeping them healthy is job one.
TONY MUNOZ • July/August 2022
Robin Gauldie considers the risks facing those heading out on cruise ships once more, looking at health concerns and Covid safety regulations
Robin Gauldie • 1 Jul 2022
Clara Bullock considers the measures being taken by cruise lines to keep customers safe, from mandatory vaccinations for passengers, to insisting on travel insurance, and enhanced medical facilities onboard
1 Nov 2021
Dr Ilya Rapoport, Medical Director at AP Companies, reports on the decisions faced by his assistance team in a case involving a spinal stroke suffered on a cruise ship in the Pacific Ocean
1 Oct 2019
Insurers and assistance companies weigh in on how the cruise industry tackled outbreaks of coronavirus onboard its ships, reflect on what could have been done better and forecast the potential repercussions for all stakeholders. By Lauren Haigh
30 Mar 2020
It has been more than 6 months since Covid 19 has come to change the life of every single person and change the plans of every company. Now, when the pandemic seems under control in one part of the globe, it seems to be gaining huge speed in other parts of the world. This pandemic has taught the world a lot of lessons, and with some yet to come, Elena Donina Glukhman, Project Manager, Development & Cooperation Worldwide, AP Companies notes.
Elena Donina Glukhman • July 13, 2020
As much as it’s written and spoken about the importance of mental and physical health of the seafarers who work far from medical providers, far from their families and home, in harsh environments and under constant pressure and increased responsibility not many Ship owners are making progress with making access to mental health specialists readily available and usable, notes Mrs Elena Donina Glukhman, AP Companies.
Elena Donina Glukhman • May 25, 2020
Medical evacuation is one of the most complicated and most expensive medical services for crew members. In this article, Dr. Ilya Rapoport, Medical Director at AP Companies Global Solutions, introduces a case study, based on a case that took place in 2019.
Elena Donina Glukhman • February 27, 2020
Maritime professions are considered dangerous occupations. Being a member of the crew on board of the ships increases the chance of physical injury and loss of health, argues Mrs. Elena Donina Glukhman, Project Manager, Development & Cooperation Worldwide at AP Companies Global Solutions.
Elena Donina Glukhman • December 18, 2018
Elena Donina Glukhman, Project Manager, Development & Cooperation Worldwide at AP Companies Global Solutions, comments about the need of good medical treatment for seafarers in a home country. Ms. Glukhman says that either working on a cruise ship or a cargo vessel, the risks that the crew face for their health when they sign off board and the necessity to receive a decent treatment, are similar.
Elena Donina Glukhman • March 27, 2019
In our articles over the past 6 months, we have spoken about several important health and safety aspects at sea. We have covered subject of home country case management as well as ports of call case management challenges. Today we are going to talk about Pre-employment and re-employment medical examinations.
Elena Donina Glukhman • June 6, 2019
Elena Donina Glukhman, Project Manager of AP Companies Global Solutions, questions what fraud in healthcare means and how it can relate to the maritime industry, explaining common types of fraud committed by the patients and their consequences.
Elena Donina Glukhman • November 18, 2019
