KVHI KVH Industries Inc

Crewtoo, the online social network for seafarers and a part of KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI), has published the results of its third Crewtoo Seafarers Happiness Index report.

Designed to monitor and benchmark seafarer satisfaction levels via 10 key questions, this third quarterly report shows a seafarer satisfaction level of 6.37 on a scale of 1 to 10, which is virtually unchanged from the 6.44 overall level reported in August. However, the questions about connectivity and shore leave emerged as key issues among seafarers.

With connectivity, seafarers’ responses indicated that there is growing disparity in Internet access: Some seafarers now get good, often cheap or even free access; some can occasionally gain access – but with cost or technical issues; and, some have no connectivity at all.

This edition of the report shows that a number of respondents feel that insufficient investment is being made in ensuring ongoing, high-speed, and quality connections, and that those without Internet access liken conditions to being in the “stone age.”

The latest Crewtoo Seafarers Happiness Index also reveals a three-tiered system in shore leave: There are some seafarers who get good shore leave access and opportunities; those who can occasionally get ashore - but not without difficulty; and those who are denied even the most basic of shore leave.

Responses highlighted that the greatest proportion of seafarers face the double jeopardy of poor quality, expensive, or non-existent connectivity, and difficult, expensive, or non-existent shore leave.

For a copy of the latest Crewtoo Seafarers Happiness Index report, please visit http://survey.crewtoo.com/happiness.

Note to Editors: For more information about Crewtoo, please visit www.crewtoo.com.About Crewtoo

Crewtoo is the world’s largest online network of the seafaring community, with more than 112,000 members. Crewtoo was launched in 2011 by KVH Media Group, a leading provider of commercially licensed news, music, TV, and movie entertainment content for a wide range of industries including maritime, retail, and hotels. KVH Media Group brands include NEWSlinkTM, MOVIElinkTM, SPORTSlinkTM, TVlinkTM, and MUSIClinkTM. KVH Media Group is part of KVH Industries, a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 175,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. The company’s global presence includes offices in Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

KVH, Crewtoo, NEWSlink, MOVIElink, SPORTSlink, TVlink, and MUSIClink are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc.

For further information, please contact:
Sue Henney 
Marketing Manager 
KVH Media Group & Videotel
Tel: +44 151 243 1605
shenney@kvh.com
or
Phil Page, Elaborate Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682104
ppage@elabor8.co.uk

Jill Connors
Media & Communications Manager
KVH Industries, Inc.
Tel: +1 401 851 3824
jconnors@kvh.com