Image I: Bigyellowfish | Source: bigyellowfish.io

In recent years, the maritime industry has faced growing challenges related to the mental health and well-being of seafarers. For instance, approximately 70% of seafarers report experiencing stress while at sea. With approximately 1.5 million seafarers employed globally, these workers often endure extended periods of isolation, limited social support, and confined living conditions, which can severely affect their psychological health. Factors such as homesickness, cultural barriers in seeking assistance, and work-related stressors all compound the stresses of the day to day work. In recent years, the maritime industry has increasingly recognized these challenges and called for shipping companies to allocate more resources to supporting their seafarers. In light of this, we are starting to see the emergence of technology platforms that focus on mental health support tailored specifically for those working in maritime environments.

Bigyellowfish is one start up tackling this space by providing an advanced management analytics dashboard for seafarers. This feature enables deeper situational awareness, monitors behavioral risks, notifies of early warning signals and provides recommendations as a decision support mechanism. The platform also provides insights such as curated micro-learnig, mindfulness meditations, soundscapes and nutrition tips. With these features, they claim potential savings on insurance liabilities of more than USD 30 million and a potential reduction in operational cost of more than 20%.

Bigyellowfish was founded in 2019 by Soma Sundar Gollakota, Kunal Pancholi, and Linda Sorensen. Soma Sundar Gollakota, with over 20 years of experience in frontline maritime operations, brings valuable insights into high-stakes environments. Kunal Pancholi contributes 18 years of expertise in mental and behavioral healthcare, while Linda Sorensen offers over 17 years of experience in operational safety across critical industries such as oil, gas, maritime, and transport. Together, they established Bigyellowfish to create a platform that integrates people, processes, and technology to enhance workforce resilience and performance.

In a strategic move to strengthen its global presence, the platform dedicated to seafarer well-being has chosen Singapore as its new headquarters. Known for its dynamic technology and maritime ecosystem, Singapore offers an ideal environment for fostering innovation and collaboration. This relocation reflects the company’s mission to enhance mental health, safety, and productivity in the maritime industry by leveraging advanced solutions and building partnerships with key stakeholders in the region.

Bigyellowfish provides a comprehensive suite of solutions to enhance workplace productivity, engagement, and well-being by focusing on fostering a supportive environment where seafarers can thrive both personally and professionally. Through real-time feedback and data-driven insights, its clients can proactively manage mental health, reduce burnout, and create a positive workplace culture.

Additionally, Bigyellowfish’s Reinforced Learning solution provides a continuous learning experience, helping seafarers acquire and retain essential skills through personalized learning paths and adaptive content. This ensures that teams remain adaptable and aligned with evolving business needs.

Finally, the platform facilitates collaboration among teams by offering a communication channel between seafarers and land teams and providing a mechanism to set  and track clear goals in order to boost productivity. Together, these three solutions aim to create a cohesive and dynamic work environment that drives organizational success while prioritizing seafarer growth and well-being. By leveraging behavioral risk management techniques with the data it collects, the platform aims to create a “Human Performance Index” for vessels, addressing human factors that contribute to accidents at sea. Their holistic approach not only focuses on immediate safety improvements but also fosters resilience and continuous development among crew members.

Bigyellowfish has raised a total of $3.17 million in funding over five rounds from 26 investors. The company secured $1.1 million in a seed funding round in December 2022, led by Powerhouse Ventures, with participation from Anicut Capital and the Schulte Group’s Innoport. Since its launch, Bigyellowfish has established itself as a trusted partner for several prominent organizations in the maritime industry, notable clients include ASAHI SHIPPING, NYK Ship Management, Avance Gas, Marshall, IMC Ship Management, OSM Thome, Wilhelmsen, and Stolt-Nielsen. These collaborations underscore Bigyellowfish’s commitment to enhancing workplace well-being and safety across the maritime sector.

In addition to its esteemed clientele, Bigyellowfish has formed strategic partnerships with key industry players. The company is recognized as a Zero Harm Innovation Partner by RightShip, reflecting its dedication to safety and sustainability in maritime operations. Furthermore, Bigyellowfish serves on the Digitalisation Committee of the Singapore Shipping Association, highlighting its role in advancing digital transformation within the maritime industry.

As the industry grapples with a labor shortage and increasing operational pressures, digital solutions are becoming essential in fostering a supportive environment for seafarers. The integration of real-time communication tools and well-being resources not only facilitates immediate assistance but also empowers seafarers to take charge of their mental health. Ultimately, platforms like Bigyellowfish represent a significant step forward in ensuring that maritime workers receive the support they need to thrive at sea, thereby enhancing overall productivity and safety in this critical sector.

Source:

Big Yellow Fish. bigyellowfish.io. https://www.bigyellowfish.io/

Bigyellowfish Funding and Investors. (2024, December 21). Tracxn Technologies Limited. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/bigyellowfish/__NQmVo2G_4jnhZH4JiuYPOrOOz7LWnUzCq2YfPRvDHDA/funding-and-investors?utm_#summary

Bigyellowfish Raises $1.1 Million in Funding Led by Powerhouse Ventures. (2022, December 22). ETHRWorld.com. https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/bigyellowfish-raises-1-1-million-in-funding-led-by-powerhouse-ventures/96423546?utm_

Powerhouse Ventures Leads $1.1M Round into Bigyellowfish, an Employee Experience Platform. (2022, December 27). Indian Transport & Logistics. https://www.itln.in/shipping/powerhouse-ventures-leads-usd-11m-round-into-bigyellowfish-an-employee-experience-platform-1347424

Stoicescu, C. (2024, October 17). Seafarers Awards 2024 Celebrate Champions of the Maritime Industry. Sea News – Global Maritime News. https://seanews.co.uk/maritime/seafarers-awards-2024-celebrate-champions-of-the-maritime-industry/

What Inspired Bigyellowfish to Become Part of RightShip’s Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program?. Rightship. (2024, April 6). https://rightship.com/insights/what-inspired-bigyellowfish-to-become-a-part-of-rightships-zero-harm-partners-program?utm_

SAFETY4SEA. (2021, February 17). Digital platform to improve the emotional well-being of seafarers. SAFETY4SEA. https://safety4sea.com/digital-platform-to-improve-the-emotional-well-being-of-seafarers/

Contributor      : Vanisa Andienisara, Ariana Tri Asti

Reviewer         : Imam Buchari