Is your ENG1 medical up to date?
Anyone working long-term onboard a seafaring vessel is required to hold a valid ENG1 medical certificate before they can set sail. As an experienced seafarer, you will have already attended and passed this important medical examination before starting your career – but did you know that your certificate has an expiration date?
Get ready for the spring sailing season by checking the validity of your ENG1 medical certificate, and making arrangements to have it renewed long before it expires.
Why do I need an ENG1 medical certificate?
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires all those working at sea to meet certain standards of physical and medical health. Everyone on board must be medically fit enough to both perform their day-to-day duties, and to respond quickly during an emergency, and holding an in-date ENG1 certificate is a set condition that must be met in order to work at sea.
So, if you have been employed on a vessel for a while, then it’s time to find out if you need to book your renewal appointment.
When do I need to renew my ENG1 certificate?
Seafarers must renew their ENG1 certificate every 1 year between the ages of 16 and 18, and every 2 years from the age of 18.
This should be done within your current certificate’s validity window, and we recommend that you attend your appointment up to 40 days before the expiry date, as this allows time for any further tests without impacting your ‘approved’ status. If your certificate has expired for a significant amount of time – usually due to a break in employment – then you will be required to undergo a full initial medical again before you can take to the seas.
This renewal period may seem short when compared to other occupational medicals, but it has been set for the following reasons:
- Early detection of medical conditions: Medical conditions can develop quickly, and it’s important to identify any health risks as soon as possible, rather than allowing them to go undetected (and potentially worsen) whilst you are at sea.
- Lack of medical facilities: If a condition is not found before you set sail then it may put you at serious risk. You could be many hours away from the nearest onshore hospital, and if you are working alone when an incident occurs then you may not be able to request medical assistance in time.
- Risk to health: Some conditions will prevent you from performing your duties, and if your role is essential to the overall safety and seaworthiness of the vessel, then your incapacitation would also put your fellow crew members and passengers at risk.
What happens if my medical health changes?
At the end of each renewal appointment you will be issued with a certificate that either classifies you as fit without restrictions, or with restrictions. These limitations will be made clear to you at the time and there are few conditions that will result in an immediate fail; for example, if you are found to have a colour vision deficiency, then you may simply be certified as unfit for lookout duties or for work with colour-coded equipment.
These restrictions will be decided in accordance with MCA standards, but if you are found to have a condition that prevents you from safely carrying out your on-ship role then you will be declared temporarily or permanently unfit for sea service. If this is the case then your existing certificate will become invalid too, but don’t worry about this happening at your upcoming appointment.
Whilst your medical examiner will not be able to issue your certificate, you do not immediately fail the assessment. Instead, you will be referred to a MCA-appointed examiner to independently review your case and make a final decision based upon your health and fitness, and the demands of your role.
How can I prepare for the ENG1 medical?
The best way to prepare for any medical examination is to understand the requirements.
The purpose of the ENG1 medical is to uncover any health issues that may worsen at sea, or put you or others at risk, so read on to find out what you can expect, and how to prepare.
1. Know what to expect
The checks that are carried out in the renewal examination remain largely the same as the initial one. After an initial discussion and health questionnaire, your medical examiner will assess:
- Eyesight, including distance, near, and colour vision.
- Hearing abilities via a hearing (audiometry) test.
- Blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Respiratory function, including your lungs and throat.
- Height and weight.
- And physical reflexes.
You will need to undress down to your underwear for some of these, and you will also need to fill in a questionnaire during your appointment.
2. Be aware of restrictions
There are certain MCA standards that are absolute and must be met without any aids; for example, colour correction lenses are not permitted, and those with serious or progressive eye diseases are not permitted to pass.
3. Bring the required items with you
This includes your current ENG1 certificate, a form of photo identification, written summaries of all medical conditions (along with details of any medication you are currently taking), and details for your GP.
Please note that if any part of the examination has been conducted separately (for example, the Ishihara vision screening), then you will need to bring the forms with you as proof, as well as your glasses or contact lenses.
Book your MCA medical today
Whether you need to renew your ENG1, your OGUK, or any other seafarer medical certificate, you have come to the right place.
We provide both initial and renewal ENG1 medicals for just £115, as well as maritime medicals for other international authorities.
More information can be found on our website, and please click here to book your appointment.