Fishing & Processing
BP Marine Fish Products (PTY) Ltd
Family-owned seafood processing and catering supplies business serving the West Coast fishing industry from St Helena Bay.
Visit WebsiteSouthern Africa's First Maritime Telemedicine Provider
Your Doctor on Deck.
24/7 access to qualified medical doctors for fishing and maritime crews anytime, anywhere at sea. SAHPRA-approved & compliant medical-tech.
Healthy Crew. Healthy Catch.
24/7 Doctor Access
SAHPRA-Approved Technology
Plug & Play
Built for Maritime & Fishing
SAHPRA-Approved
Health Tech Provider
Who We Are
Southern Africa's First Dedicated Maritime Telemedicine Provider
Ocean Doctor is a pioneering healthcare solution built specifically for the fishing and maritime industry. We provide 24/7 access to our own team of qualified Medical Doctors through our SAHPRA-approved health tech the DOD Kit ensuring every vessel and crew can access quality primary medical care anytime, anywhere.
Qualified Medical Doctors
Our own in-house team available around the clock
Offshore Capability
Designed for remote maritime environments
Industry-Specific
Built exclusively for fishing and maritime operations
ESG & Compliance
Supports worker's rights & ensures alignment with international ESG sustainability standards
Watch & Learn
See Ocean Doctor in Action
Learn how Ocean Doctor delivers 24/7 telemedicine support to fishing vessels, commercial ships, and remote maritime operations across South Africa.
Our Purpose
Mission & Why It Matters
Our Mission
Caring for Your Crew, Caring for Your Company
To deliver quality medical access and medical care to vessels in remote offshore environments giving vessel owners, crew and their families peace of mind when out at sea.
A healthy crew means optimised productivity at sea. Less downtime, less costly diversions due to healthcare issues, and more fish caught.
Optimised Productivity
Healthy crew means fewer interruptions, less unplanned downtime, and more fish caught per voyage.
Reduced Costly Diversions
Early intervention prevents expensive returns to shore saving fuel, time, and catch value for operators.
Worker Rights & ESG
Supports worker's right to quality healthcare while strengthening Social and Governance standards. Early medical intervention prevents unnecessary vessel diversions, reducing fuel use and emissions, and improving Environmental impact and overall ESG compliance.
Fully Tax Deductible
Ocean Doctor is fully tax deductible as an employee cost a smart business and healthcare investment.
Benefits
3 C's of the 7 Seas
Ocean Doctor serves every stakeholder in the maritime chain from individual crew to the captain on the bridge to the company in the boardroom.
Crew
- Peace of mind knowing healthcare is always available
- Feeling reassured and cared for by their employers
- Early intervention and privately addressing acute and chronic conditions
Captains
- Expert medical guidance to assess illness or injury on board
- Removes the burden of critical medical decision-making at sea
- Prevents costly or unnecessary returns to shore
Company & Cost
- Save money on lost time, fuel, and fishing disruption
- Boost crew wellbeing and long-term retention
- Demonstrate corporate social responsibility
- Fully tax deductible as an employee cost
Our Healthcare Solution
The DOD Kit & Services
Through innovative, SAHPRA-approved telemedicine technology, we provide comprehensive medical access to vessels in offshore environments ensuring crew health, and operational optimization.
SAHPRA-Approved Hardware
The DOD Kit Doc on Deck
A purpose-built, rugged telemedicine hardware kit designed for the marine environment. Everything our doctors need to assess your crew remotely in one weatherproof case.
Vitals Suite: Pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure & 3-lead ECG
Diagnostic Tools: Glucometer, digital otoscope, dermascope & stethoscope and more
Microsoft Tablet: Encrypted telemedicine software for live video consultations
Field Ready: USB hub, power bank & rugged protective carry case
Encrypted Platform
Encrypted Telemedicine Web App
Our secure, purpose-built digital platform powers every consultation. It supports live video, delayed consult uploads, on-deck patient monitoring, secure crew health records, and reporting for vessel owners.
Live & Scheduled: 24/7 medical consultations phone, WhatsApp, or video
On-Deck Monitoring: Remote patient monitoring for unwell crew members at sea
Full Prescription Service: Prescriptions, pathology, imaging & referral coordination
Owner Reports: Reporting and support for vessel owners and company management - keeping you in the loop
Services Unlike Any Other
What We Provide
24/7 Medical Advice
General medical advice via phone and WhatsApp always-on access to qualified doctors
Live Consultations
Book or consult immediately live or scheduled with or without the DOD Kit
On-Deck Monitoring
Patient monitoring for unwell crew while offshore, with structured follow-up
Docked Capabilities
Follow-ups and minor surgical procedures when vessels are in port
Full Care Coordination
Prescriptions, pathology, imaging & specialist referral coordination
Owner Reporting
Detailed health reports and support documentation for vessel owners and companies
Our Plug & Play Solution
All You Need Is WiFi
Getting a doctor to your crew is as simple as four steps. No complex setup. No special training required. Just WiFi and our dedicated team.
1
Reach Out
WhatsApp our Ocean Doctor line or call our number to reach a doctor directly
2
We Assess
We assess the situation and determine the need for a full consultation
3
Consult
Book a scheduled consultation or consult immediately with or without the DOD Kit
4
Treatment Plan
Diagnosis and treatment plan initiated, with appropriate follow-up on deck or on dock keeping crews offshore
Real-World Difference
Our Impact at Sea
Every consultation, every intervention, every crew member kept offshore it all adds up to safer operations, better companies, and crews that come home healthy.
Enhanced Crew Wellbeing
Crew members and their families have peace of mind at sea feeling protected, cared for, and valued by their employers through genuine access to healthcare.
Reduced Medical Evacuations
We minimise unplanned returns to shore through early intervention saving fuel costs, catch time, and operational disruption for vessel owners.
Empowered Captains
Captains are relieved of the burden of judging medical severity alone with expert guidance to make informed, defensible decisions at sea.
Increased Productivity
Healthier crews stay offshore longer, catch more, and return with higher morale directly improving fleet efficiency and company profitability.
Our Clients
Trusted by Maritime Operators
Proudly supporting leading fishing and maritime companies across Southern Africa with 24/7 medical care at sea.
Ocean Trawling
Ocean Trawling
Integrated fishing operations with own vessels and processing capacity, delivering premium seafood from ocean to market.
Visit WebsiteAs Seen In
In the Press
Ocean Doctor is making waves in the maritime industry here's what the press is saying about our mission to bring professional healthcare to fishing and maritime crews at sea.
Dr Sage Gerdharee with skipper Ohann Westraadt of the Sea Harvest vessel Laverne
Safety & Incident Response
A Doctor on Deck
Telemedicine comes to the fishing industry
A team of young South African doctors is harnessing rapid advances in communications technology to deliver professional medical care to fishing crews at sea, while helping vessel operators avoid operational downtime and costly diversions to port.
Ocean Doctor has developed an integrated medical support system combining portable diagnostic technology with 24/7 access to a dedicated team of qualified doctors enabling skippers to consult medical professionals in real time while operating far from shore.
"Ocean Doctor sits at the intersection of maritime operations, risk mitigation and workplace sustainability, transforming the healthcare of fishing crews from a cost centre into a strategic operational asset."
Dr Sage Gerdharee, CEO, Ocean Doctor
Get in Touch
Ready to Care for Your Crew?
Whether you're a vessel owner, fishing company, or maritime operator reach out to learn how Ocean Doctor can be onboard your next voyage.
Website
www.oceandoctor.co.zaLandline
021 330 5832Response Time
24/7 Availability
Doctors available around the clock for maritime emergencies and consultations