Seafarers are being called upon to participate in new health research study investigating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) − a potentially life-threatening condition that can affect those who spend long periods immobile, such as during long watches at sea or extended travel to and from vessels.
The study, led by Dr. Kelly Gerakoudi, assistant professor of shipping management at the private American College of Greece, aims to explore more about how the condition affects seafarers and to what extent modern telemedicine tools can help detect, manage, and prevent DVT among seafarers. The findings might help inform overall maritime health policy and practice.
Dr. Gerakoudi is conducting this independent project with a co-authoring specialist surgeon, but says the research does not have any commercial sponsorship.
She said her interest in seafarer welfare stemmed from teaching students studying shipping management who often have no seafaring background: 'So they have no idea, actually, what a vessel is, or what a seafarer looks like, or what they do exactly.
'What I'm trying to do is to help my students empathise with the seafarers, really understand the way that they work, the way they live onboard, and so if in the future they are called to manage seafarers they will be able to understand them.
'Seafarers face unique health challenges − prolonged immobility, cramped living conditions, dehydration, and environmental stressors,' Dr. Gerakoudi explained. 'Yet there is little research on how these factors may increase the risk of DVT in this population. Our goal is to gather real experiences from seafarers to help shape better health policies and practices across the industry.'
The research team is inviting all serving seafarers, regardless of age or background, to complete a short, anonymous online questionnaire about their experiences with swollen legs, leg pains, or DVT. The findings will be published in an international academic journal and shared with shipping and seafarer organisations.
The deadline to participate in this anonymous short survey is 30 November 2025.
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