Listen to this articleBelow is our recent interview with Crystol Lasley, Director of the Maritime Medical Division at AP Companies. Crystol is a seasoned healthcare professional with an illustrious 33-year career spanning the military and maritime sectors. Her educational foundation includes degrees in Nursing and Business Management. Over the years, Crystol has amassed a wealth of shoreside clinical experience and held key leadership roles, notably serving as the Supervisor of Case Management for a major cruise line and as Vice President of Operations for an Onboard Maritime Medical Management firm.
Crystol’s expertise extends to pioneering initiatives such as the creation and implementation of onboard auditing protocols for medical and biomedical services. She has provided consulting services on the design, management, and implementation of new-build medical centers and has played an instrumental role in staffing and training medical center staff for numerous cruise lines worldwide. As an ISO-certified Lead Auditor, she audited both pre-employment clinics and repatriation medical services globally. Currently, as the Director of the Maritime Medical Division at AP Companies, Crystol is at the forefront of representing the company to potential clients, customizing new client operations, crafting standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance across all departments, and expanding the array of services offered within AP’s medical maritime forum.
These esteemed professionals bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to their roles, contributing significantly to the success and growth of AP Companies in the maritime healthcare industry.
Q: Can you provide a brief introduction to AP Companies?
A: AP Companies is a leading global medical provider specializing in comprehensive health services for crew members aboard cruise and commercial vessels. With an extensive network of trusted medical providers and facilities worldwide, we deliver timely, high-quality medical care to thousands of seafarers from diverse nationalities in different ports of call and home countries. Our services include enhanced Pre-Employment Medical Examinations (PEME), port-of-call medical appointments, emergency medical assistance, medical evacuations, and home country case management—all designed to ensure the well-being of crew members while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for shipping companies.
Q: What Makes AP Companies the Best Choice? How Are You Unique?
A: Unmatched Global Network & Local Expertise
- Worldwide Coverage with Local Knowledge: Our carefully vetted network of medical providers spans every major shipping route, ensuring seamless care in ports and home countries. We partner with top-tier local clinics and hospitals, selected for their quality services and cost efficiency
- High-Volume, Cost-Efficient Solutions: Due to our large-scale operations, we negotiate preferential rates for our clients, passing on significant cost savings without compromising quality
- Qualified Maritime-Experienced Medical Teams: Our in-house specialists and global partners have a wealth of experience in treating crew-specific health issues, from occupational injuries to infectious diseases
Proactive, Compliance-Focused Care
- Enhanced PEME Programs: Our rigorous pre-employment screenings help identify potential health risks early, reducing onboard medical incidents and costly evacuations
- 24/7 Multilingual Coordination: Our dedicated case managers ensure smooth communication between ships, local providers, and home-country doctors
- Regulatory Excellence: We ensure full compliance with MLC 2006, ILO standards, and regional regulations, minimizing legal risks for clients
End-to-End Medical Management
From shore-side referrals to home country treatment, we handle the entire process, reducing administrative burdens and speeding up crew recovery.
Q: Who Is Your Ideal Client and Why?
A: Our ideal clients are cruise lines and commercial shipping companies that prioritize:
- Global medical coverage with no service gaps
- Local expertise in ports worldwide for faster, culturally attuned treatment
- Compliance and risk mitigation, ensuring adherence to maritime health regulations
We serve clients who view crew health as a strategic investment—not just an operational necessity.
Q: What Can We Expect from AP Companies in the Next 6 Months?
A: Strengthening Our Core Advantages
- Network Expansion: Adding new high-quality providers in emerging shipping hubs to ensure even faster, more affordable care
- Data-Driven Improvements: Using aggregated medical insights to help clients identify and address recurring health trends amongst crew
Q: What’s the Best Thing About Your Company That People Might Not Know?
A: Many don’t realize that AP Companies operates as an extension of our clients’ teams. Beyond arranging care, we partner together to:
- Leverage our global scale to secure better pricing and priority access at top facilities
- Analyze claims data to recommend protocol changes that cut costs and improve outcomes
Our maritime-specific expertise ensures crews get the right care—wherever they are.
