One million seafarers helped by charity’s groundbreaking welfare app

One million seafarers helped by charity’s groundbreaking welfare app

One million seafarers, on board more than half the world’s shipping fleet, have now benefitted from the ShipVisitor welfare app, which helps to provide continuity of care as ships and their crew move from port-to-port.

Developed by international charity Sailors’ Society, the app is used free of charge around the globe by 23 maritime welfare organisations, who provide chaplaincy support to seafarers far from home.

These organisations have used the app to log visits to more than 28,000 unique, individual ships – representing more than half the world’s shipping fleet.

Sailors’ Society’s CEO Sara Baade said: “It is heartening to know that our innovative ShipVisitor app has now been used one million times. It means chaplains and ship visitors are responding to wellbeing and welfare support issues quicker than ever before.

“Sailors’ Society made this app freely available to maritime welfare organisations to facilitate greater continuity of care and it is making a real difference to seafarers’ lives.”

Using AIS data provided by MarineTraffic, the app enables chaplains and ship visitors to report their activities in real time and maintain a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. This information can then be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.

Since its launch in September 2015, there have been many examples of how the ShipVisitor app has improved welfare provision.

One million seafarers have now benefitted from the ShipVisitor welfare app, developed by Sailors’ Society, which helps to provide continuity of care as ships and their crew move from port-to-port.

For more information visit www.shipvisitor.org

12th July 2021