The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) has partnered with MarinePALS, a leading provider of maritime eLearning solutions, to bring their series of six expert-led physiotherapy videos titled ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea’ to their digital learning platform MarineFlix.
Designed as a preventative toolkit, these exercises proactively reduce exposure to common injuries and help minimise crew absence and turnover due to injury — supporting both seafarers and ship operators in maintaining safe and resilient workplaces.
The ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea’ videos were designed and performed by a licensed physiotherapist based on data gathered by SHS through their extensive history of providing free physiotherapy services to seafarers of all nationalities working in UK territorial waters. This data-led approach revealed specific muscle groups that were more susceptible to repetitive strain injuries or stiffness caused by static postures for long periods of time.
For example, in 2024 alone, SHS has already provided over 500 sessions of treatment via their network of physiotherapists, of which 36% presented with back injuries, 25% suffered from lower limb injuries, 19% have upper limb injuries, with a further 16% reporting neck injuries and 4% with hip injuries.
Captain Pradeep Chawla, CEO of MarinePALS, said, “At MarinePALS, our goal has always been to support maritime professionals not only in their careers but also in their overall well-being. Partnering with SHS to offer these free physiotherapy videos aligns perfectly with this mission. Having spent many years at sea, I have firsthand experience of the physical toll crew experience as a result of long hours, repetitive tasks, physically demanding labour and limited space.”
“Injuries come not only with joint pain, discomfort or muscle damage, but also carry the risk of impacting a seafarer’s mental health with concerns about their finances, ability to work and the effect on their career. Ship operators, already facing crew shortages for particular positions, are also left vulnerable and short-staffed under these conditions. By ensuring we have the resources available to minimise workplace injury, we can collaboratively ensure better musculoskeletal health and improved safety at sea and on shore.”
‘Fit and Healthy At Sea’ is designed with seafarers in mind: short and simple exercises which can be easily incorporated into daily routines while at sea or onshore, targeting key areas such as the hips, sides, hamstrings, neck, shoulders and chest. These exercises are well suited to small, enclosed spaces, such as crew cabins, and require minimal equipment. Since repetitive strain injuries can affect shore-based and offshore staff, the videos are designed to accommodate both environments. The videos can also be downloaded so they can be accessed without an internet connection.
Sandra Welch, CEO of the Seafarers Hospital Society, said; “We are very pleased to partner with MarinePALS to make our ‘Fit and Healthy’ physiotherapy videos more widely available to the shipping industry. Proactively improving seafarer musculoskeletal health not only has the benefit of reducing the risk of physical workplace injuries, but also can contribute to positive company culture by demonstrating an investment in crew health and wellbeing. Employers who proactively prioritise the health and safety of seafarers gain reputational benefits, which can help with recruitment and retention efforts while also contributing to ESG values.”
“Our hope is that by making physiotherapy resources like ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea’ more accessible, we can help prevent injuries and improve the quality of life for seafarers. While we continue to work with other eLearning platforms like Ocean Technologies Group to distribute these resources, this new partnership with MarinePALS will allow us to reach even more seafarers, ensuring that they have the tools they need to stay healthy and prevent injury.”
The videos are available at the Seafarers Hospital Society website and via MarinePALS’ MarineFlix.