ClipperTelemed+™ yacht launched in London’s St Katharine Docks

The ClipperTelemed+™ yacht has been officially named ahead of its debut in the 2015-16 edition of the Clipper Race.

The Team Sponsor - a telemedicine business - is a new joint venture launched today between Clipper Ventures Plc and our Global Medical Emergency Support Partner, PRAXES Medical Group.

ClipperTelemed+™ provides fast emergency and general medical support from PRAXES physicians based in Canada, to all seafarers, no matter how remote their location.

John Hockin, VP of Marketing for PRAXES, named and christened the Clipper 70 yacht in St Katharine Docks, London alongside Clipper Race chairman and founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Sir Robin said: “During the Clipper 13-14 Race the PRAXES service proved invaluable through crew comfort and confidence. By the end of the circumnavigation it was clear that there was the need for their service for all seafarers from solo ocean yachtsmen to the crew of the largest ships as the number of medevacs and in-port hospital visits were vastly reduced, as were insurance claims.

“The Clipper Race passes through some of the most extreme and remote areas of the world. The crew of the ClipperTelemed+™ yacht will challenge their limits and become true adventurers and ambassadors for what ClipperTelemed+™ represents.”

One of 12 branded entries, ClipperTelemed+™ will act as a global marketing platform during the 40,000 mile ocean adventure to promote the company’s remote medical support services.

Crew on yachts, superyachts, commercial ships and exploration rigs can benefit from the service which uses advanced telemedicine methods from fully qualified emergency physicians within five minutes, wherever the casualty is located, in any language.

John Hockin, VP of Marketing for PRAXES, said: “The opportunities for the ClipperTelemed+™-branded yacht racing round the world and visiting many of the main shipping hubs are an exciting prospect.

“The magic of our services is the human touch of the doctor on the line who knows the patient’s circumstances. Our doctors are used to making a diagnosis just with their ears with patients at sea, often in noisy environments. They are highly sensitive to the stress of the caller and the situation and are very special people.”

The yacht was christened with Stormhoek wine, Official Wine Partner of the race. Watch a video of the naming ceremony here.

The next Clipper Race starts in August 2015 and will be the event’s tenth edition. There are still places available. Click here for more information.