Mariners Medico Guide - interactive emergency care that saves lives at sea
Mariners Medico Guide (MMG) is an interactive, symptom-based medical reference app developed for seafarers worldwide - to provide structured emergency care and save lives when it really counts.
The challenge
Seafarers often face acute medical situations far out at sea, with no doctor on board. From 2018 to 2021, the number of Gard claims related to illness or death among crew rose by almost 75%, and the share of cases related to mental ill health rose by 34% in 2020 alone. Captains and crew needed a reliable tool that could provide precise first aid and a shared language for describing symptoms and treatment - even without an internet connection in the middle of the ocean.
How Youwell addressed the challenge
Together with Haukeland University Hospital (Radio Medico) and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, Gard and Youwell developed a digital, symptom-based medical guide covering both physical and mental health issues. The content is written and updated by doctors specialising in maritime medicine, structured in simple steps and language suited to users without a medical background. The guide works entirely without an internet connection, and is approved by the Norwegian Maritime Authority as nationally equivalent to WHO's International Medical Guide for Ships.
Results customers experience
- Over 35,000 downloads since launch in 2022
- Approved by the Norwegian Maritime Authority and several international flag states
- Works entirely without an internet connection, and is free for the entire shipping industry
- Gives the doctors at Radio Medico a shared reference point, making remote diagnosis and guidance faster and more precise
Quote
“The most standout feature of the app is its user experience, which makes navigating within the app easy. It gives the user the initial response to medical emergencies, which is critical in such situations.”
- Captain Gaurav Kapoor, General Manager, Pacific Carriers Limited