Medical & Fitness Guide for Deck Officers

Vision

Lookout and navigation duties depend on good distance vision. Eyesight standards for deck officers and ratings are set in the STCW Code and applied by your maritime authority. See the Vision Center.

Colour vision

Recognising navigation lights, buoys and signals requires adequate colour vision. If you have any doubt about your colour vision, find out early — ideally before starting training. Read Colour vision and seafarers.

Watchkeeping

Bridge watches require sustained alertness, often at night. Keep the bridge environment suitable for night vision and avoid heavy meals before and during the watch.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a known factor in groundings and collisions. Respect rest hours, plan sleep around the watch system, and speak up if you are too tired to keep a safe watch. See Sleep & Fatigue.

Physical fitness

Mooring operations, pilot ladders and emergency drills are physically demanding. Try the Deck Crew Functional programme.

Medical preparation

Bring your glasses or lenses, a recent prescription and any previous colour-vision report. Use the preparation checker.