DigiGone Launches CrewChat, a Game-Changing Crew Welfare Solution

DigiGone has launched an ultra-low bandwidth voice, video and text communication tool, CrewChat, which allows crews working in remote locations to connect with family and friends. On the heels of the pandemic when workers were isolated from families for months at a time — underscoring the difficulties of this essential industry — investing in crew welfare is paramount. CrewChat delivers on that. 

DigiGone, founded in 2007, specializes in developing and providing encrypted, ultra-low bandwidth communication tools and software applications for remote locations. With CrewChat, mariners, miners, oil and gas workers, and other essential workers around the world will be able to make voice and video calls from anywhere. 

A study by Marissa G Baker, PhD, at the University of Washington, reported that during COVID, lack of communication was a bigger contributor to depression than having to quarantine. 

Further, 38% of mariners surveyed reported feelings of depression caused by lack of access to a cell phone or inadequate service while in port, harbors or inland waterways. 

How it Works 

An Application Management Program (AMP) is remotely installed on a vessel’s or site's local server. Crew members then download the CrewChat application to their phones and select a day and time for the video call. The user selects a contact from their device’s contact list, which generates a one-time secure meeting link that is sent to the recipient via email or SMS; the recipient does not download the CrewChat application, but simply clicks on the link at the scheduled time. The CrewChat application automatically adds the call to the user’s calendar. 

Privacy and Security

Compared to other video and audio communication providers, only CrewChat provides true end-to-end encryption (256-bit AES) and privacy. Calls and videos are never recorded, phone data is never downloaded and locations are never tracked.

Technical Features 

CrewChat delivers voice, video and text capabilities. Uplink connections consume no more than 70Kbps and a downlink consumes no more than 100kbps per meeting or call. 

This proprietary product uses ultra-low bandwidth software that easily installs on existing vessel or site servers. Crew will download the CrewChat app to their phone and create a one-time link to send to call recipients using email or SMS. Multiple calls can be scheduled at once. 

About DigiGone

DigiGone was founded in 2007 and is based in Largo, Florida. DigiGone is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that creates encrypted ultra-low bandwidth tools for use in a variety of industries, including healthcare, commercial maritime, yachting, fishing, mining and oil and gas. 

For more information about this product contact Mike Dunleavy at 727-544-2327, or info@DigiGone.com. 

Or visit the CrewChat website at digigone.com/crewchat.