Creating a Healthy Ship

Abstract In 2015 HMS DUNCAN was chosen as the intervention ship for an Institute of Naval Medicine (INM)-led project entitled Second Sea Lord (2SL)’s Feeding the Fleet Initiative. During her nine-month maiden deployment on Operation KIPION, a healthy lifestyle intervention was initiated, encompassing executive health, catering services, medical services and physical training. The key enabler of the success of the intervention was the formation of an effective Unit Health Committee. This article presents the lessons identified and provides useful examples from the intervention, which aimed to create a healthy lifestyle culture on board a deployed ship.