In certain industries, staff healthcare requires very specific organization, expertise, and equipment, all provided by BiomaiX. This is notably the case for Compagnie Française du Thon Océanique (CFTO), which must ensure the health and safety of crews aboard 15 tuna seiners operating across tropical oceans. Here is an interview with Bertrand Monpert, HSE Manager at CFTO.
A fishing trip for a tuna fisherman lasts eight weeks. Vessel routes are largely determined by the location of tuna stocks in equatorial waters. CFTO vessels operate far offshore in the Atlantic Ocean out of Abidjan, as well as in the Indian Ocean out of the Seychelles. interview with Bertrand Monpert, HSE Manager at CFTO.
Crew health remains a top priority. Medical support at sea requires a specific organisation, given that the nearest hospital or clinic can sometimes be up to six days at sea. On each vessel, ECG devices, defibrillators, and an onboard medical room are available to the 24 crew members. Everything must remain fully operational despite tropical climate, vessel movement, and severe weather.
BiomaiX: How is medical care organized aboard CFTO tuna vessels?
Bertrand Monpert: “The Chief Mate is responsible for onboard medical care for crews averaging 24 people on vessels ranging from 62 to 84 metres in length. We operate 11 tuna seiners based in the Seychelles and 4 in Abidjan. A support vessel also accompanies the fleet during fishing operations.
On board, a dedicated medical room allows us to treat conditions that do not require major surgery. When major surgery is required, medical evacuation must be arranged.
For each vessel, BiomaiX provided leased ECG units and purchased defibrillators.
Before casting off, the Chief Mate tests both devices and checks the vessel's medical supplies. Due to the location of our home ports, equipment is frequently dispatched directly from our headquarters in Concarneau (France).”
Learn more about BiomaiX digital ECG leasing solutions
These units are portable digital ECG devices designed for telemedicine applications. They enable secure data transmission to the specialized maritime medical service at Purpan University Hospital in Toulouse, France.
This solution is particularly suited to vessels, offshore operations and other remote environments where access to medical care may be limited and where every minute counts.
Opting for equipment leasing grants access to exclusive BiomaiX services, including the MedReport software to manage consumables and maintenance, as well as rapid support in case of equipment failure.
BiomaiX: What is the primary challenge: the distance or the isolation itself?
“Both are a challenge, which is why ECGs and defibrillators are tested before casting off. In the event of a failure, our long-standing relationship with BiomaiX ensures rapid delivery of replacement units.
Our vessels can be more than six days from the nearest port. Evacuation can prove extremely complex, as demonstrated by a recent incident where one of our mariners suffered from cardiac arrhythmia. The diagnosis was confirmed after analysis of his electrocardiogram by physicians at the Maritime Medical Consultation Centre (CCMM) at Purpan University Hospital. Evacuation was ordered immediately. The crew member was taken aboard a naval vessel operating nearby. After several days at sea, the patient was airlifted by helicopter to the nearest hospital.
At sea, everything is more complex. That is why monitoring crew health requires extreme vigilance.”
BiomaiX: Do these situations sometimes require custom medical equipment adjustments?
Bertrand Monpert: “Our 15 years of shared experience with BiomaiX allow us to adapt effectively. For instance, during the COVID crisis, our vessels required medical oxygen. If a crew member fell ill and needed respiratory support, we could not leave them without assistance. However, high-volume oxygen storage is difficult aboard a ship. The BiomaiX team suggested installing oxygen concentrators, which generate oxygen on demand by concentrating ambient air. This allowed us to maintain our fishing operations throughout the pandemic.”
Visit the CFTO website