Delivering remote medical services to the maritime industry for over 30 years.
In operation since 1989, Maritime Medical Access (MMA) provides a vital service to render appropriate telemedical care to shipping vessels, aircraft, yachts, and teams in remote locations worldwide. We provide on-call physician support, clinical case management, repatriation, training, and recommendations for medical equipment and medicine chests, all through one central 24/7 command center.
When an accident or serious illness occurs at sea, expert medical help may be thousands of miles away. However, having satellite or mobile links to our emergency medicine physicians ensures high-quality, continuous care no matter where you are in the world. For 30 years, Maritime Medical Access has been committed to the provision of integrated medical solutions to maximize the quality of medical care and contain the cost of care for the maritime community.
How our service works:
You reach the WECC
When you call, email, or initiate a video conference, you will be connected to our Worldwide Emergency Communications Center (WECC), where you’ll be greeted by a medically trained operator who will collect basic information about your medical emergency. You will then be connected to one of our board-certified emergency medicine physicians.
Our physician develops a care plan
All of our emergency physicians have special interests in maritime, aviation, or remote medicine and many have personal maritime experience. They understand that prior training, equipment availability, and transit time to more definitive care are highly variable, and they will work with you to develop a care plan that is compatible with your specific resources and needs. Complex cases in need of follow-up will go on our daily case-management list, and you will have ongoing access to physicians who will re-assess the situation and provide updated recommendations.
We follow-up until resolution
Complex cases in need of follow-up will go on our daily case-management list, and you will have ongoing access to physicians who will re-assess the situation and provide updated recommendations. If specialty care is needed, our emergency physicians can add specialists from over 50 medical specialties to the care team. If diversion or evacuation is required, we assist with the medical logistics to direct you toward a port where care is available. We can also provide medical repatriations if a crew member needs to return to the United States for further care.
What makes Maritime Medical Access different?
Experience
We have been in operation for over 30 years. All cases are managed by our board-certified emergency medicine physicians, all of whom have a specific interest in maritime, aviation, or remote medicine. Our emergency physicians handle thousands of maritime encounters every year.
Access
Our physicians are available 24/7/365, and are always one phone call, email, or video conference away.
Personal interaction
The injured or ill party and the physician communicate directly and can see each other face to face from anywhere in the world on videoconference-equipped vessels. This affords the patient and the medical provider the opportunity to establish a personal connection.
University-based specialty care
We are the only service of this kind at a large US-based academic medical center. Our clients have access to the broad resources of The GW Medical Faculty Associates, including over 700 physicians in more than 50 medical specialties.
Technology agnostic
We make all efforts to connect with the technology you already have in place so there is no need to invest in new and expensive equipment. If you need to purchase new technology, we can guide you to cost-effective, long-term solutions.
Research
Our academic focus drives us to constantly review cases and research ways to improve care in remote locations. Our experience will help you to be better stocked, better trained, and better prepared to manage a medical emergency should one arise.
How the WECC supports MMA
Maritime Medical Access delivers communications and operations support through our Worldwide Emergency Communications Center (WECC). The WECC is staffed by medical providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and provides a central hub from which to access our services. Communications with the WECC may be initiated by telephone, email, or videoconference.
About MMA Video Telemedicine
Advances in global connectivity, including satellite-based services like Starlink and improvements in video conferencing technology, have transformed communication in the maritime environment. With an internet connection and basic software, video consultations can be initiated from virtually anywhere in the world with low-cost and limited equipment.
As a technologically agnostic service, we meet clients on whatever platform they have available. When a video consult is indicated, this connectivity allows our medical team to communicate directly with sick or injured mariners face-to-face in real time, giving vessels greater confidence that their crew members are receiving timely, accessible medical support, even while at sea.
Talk to us about coverage.
Our physicians are available 24 hours a day, by phone, email, or video conference.