Coronavirus: free seafarer e-learning introduced

This follows concerns over seafarer health and safety as Covid-19 spreads worldwide onshore, in ports and on ships.

In the e-learning program Coronavirus - How to Beat it, seafarers are reminded how to wash their hands using liquid soap and warm water and other preventative measures.

There are also guidelines to follow onboard if seafarers think they have become infected. These should reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection to others in the crew.

Videotel managing director Raal Harris said the program will help minimise the spread of this contagion.

“The spread of Covid-19 has had serious implications for our seafarers,” he said. “And for the maritime industry as a whole, with some port call restrictions, delayed crew changeovers and container shortages.”

These issues are hampering supply chains and causing severe disruption to the world economy.

“Now that Videotel and Seagull are part of the same group, we have been able to combine to make this program in record time,” said Mr Harris. “This important information will reach our combined client base which numbers the majority of the world fleet, but we also want to make it freely accessible to all seafarers to ensure everyone can benefit.”

Seagull and Videotel used their experience in producing health education programs during the Ebola and Zika outbreaks in producing Coronavirus - How to Beat it.

“We thought it prudent to continue to support the industry in this way,” Mr Harris said.

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Seagull Maritime and Videotel became part of the new Ocean Technologies Group this month with fleet management software developer Tero Marine and document management program maker Coex.