SAILORS SOCIETY, one of the biggest worldwide charities, has developed a Smartphone app called Chapplaincy, reports London's Tanker Operator.
This app will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world's 1.5 million seafarers, the charity said.
Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers
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Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.
The app is the first of its kind and is made possible by access to global ship tracking data from MarineTraffic, which helps chaplains see which vessels are in port and those due to arrive.
The result is more effective use of time and improved co-ordination with other welfare organisations.
Sailors Society CEO Stuart Rivers said that Chapplaincy is an important enabler of its ‘Wellness at Sea" programme, launched earlier this year.
"Chapplaincy revolutionises the way that our chaplains work with seafarers, allowing them to respond more quickly and follow up with a seafarer's friends and family even after the ship has sailed," he said.
"With better communication, we hope to identify faster some of the issues that affect seafarers such as stress, poor mental health and fatigue and so reduce the risks to safety, as well as increasing efficiency and retention rates for shipowners," said Mr Rivers.
The app is currently live and being used by Sailors Society chaplains and ship visitors around the world.
Said MarineTraffic managing director Demitris Memos: "We are delighted to be powering the Chapplaincy app with MarineTraffic data."
Initially available for the Android operating system, Chapplaincy guides the user through the visit - including check-in, status update and statistical reports. An admin dashboard informs support staff and management, in real-time, of the location and status of the ship visitor, as well as compiling narrative and accurate statistical data, which is then stored for reporting and analysis.