Stephen Bond, the maritime training pioneer behind Videotel, is back—and this time, he’s bringing a fresh twist to seafarer education. Alongside his wife and longtime partner Loulla Mourouris Bond, he’s launched Marine Media Enterprises, a venture that merges industry expertise with a social mission. At the heart of this new venture is the Donate and Train initiative, a scheme that’s already making waves in the industry.
Donate and Train isn’t just another training program. It’s a model that turns professional development into a force for good. Here’s how it works: companies subscribe to access high-quality video training—produced with industry experts—for their seafarers. The content covers everything from traditional safety topics to broader social issues like mental health, bullying, and cybersecurity. But the real innovation lies in the structure. Twenty-five percent of every subscription fee goes directly to a charity of the subscriber’s choice. It’s a model that aligns commercial value with social impact, allowing companies to meet their ESG goals while supporting causes they care about.
“This is about creating a win-win for the industry,” says Stephen Bond, Co-Founder of Marine Media Enterprises. “You’re not just buying training. You’re helping someone learn, and at the same time, you’re supporting a charity that is making a real difference in the world.”
The training library is already substantial, with modules ranging from mental health and financial fraud to port state control and reducing single-use plastics. The content is designed with empathy and practicality in mind, ensuring that seafarers aren’t just informed but empowered. Loulla Bond, Co-Founder of Marine Media Enterprises, emphasizes the broader mission: “This isn’t just about information. It’s about access, fairness, and dignity. Through Donate and Train, we are giving seafarers the tools they need to thrive, while also supporting carefully chosen charities that are making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
The affordability of the scheme is another key factor in its appeal. The annual subscription is modest—typically less than the cost of a cup of coffee per vessel per day per year. This makes it an accessible option for companies of all sizes, ensuring that even smaller operators can participate in a program that benefits both their crews and the wider community.
The maritime industry has long recognized the need for high-quality training, but Donate and Train takes it a step further by embedding social responsibility into the process. It’s a model that challenges the norm, proving that commercial success and social impact aren’t mutually exclusive. As the industry continues to grapple with issues like crew welfare, mental health, and sustainability, initiatives like Donate and Train offer a tangible way to drive positive change.
Marine Media Enterprises is now welcoming new customers from across the shipping industry, inviting them to join a movement that’s as much about giving back as it is about professional development. With a legacy of trusted training and a mission focused on social impact, Stephen and Loulla Bond are once again shaping the future of maritime education—this time, with a purpose that resonates far beyond the vessel.