Frequently Asked Questions

SeafarerFit is an independent digital platform that provides health calculators, medical-examination preparation tools, fitness resources and maritime health information for seafarers, Merchant Navy cadets and maritime professionals worldwide. It is not a clinic, doctor or certification authority.

No. Seafarer medical certificates can only be issued through the official process — by a medical examiner authorized or recognised by the relevant maritime authority. SeafarerFit provides information and preparation tools only.

No. Our tools never say “fit”, “unfit”, “pass” or “fail”, and they cannot predict the outcome of your examination. Medical fitness for sea service is determined only by an authorized medical examiner applying the standards that apply to you.

No. BMI is a general screening measure. It does not determine medical fitness for sea service, which is assessed as a whole by an authorized medical examiner.

Use the SeafarerFit examiner directory, which labels each listing as verified from an official source or not verified, and always confirm with your maritime authority’s official list. Each country page links to the official list where one is published.

Yes. International conventions (the MLC, 2006 and STCW) set minimum rules, but each country’s maritime authority sets its own detailed standards, forms, approved examiners and sometimes shorter validity periods. The flag of the ship and your employer can also matter.

Yes. SeafarerFit is free for DNS, B.Tech Marine Engineering, B.Sc Nautical Science, GP Rating, ETO and other maritime students, and the preparation checker covers pre-sea examinations.

Yes. Engineers will find guidance on engine-room heat, noise and hearing protection, fatigue and fitness, plus all the preparation tools.

Yes. Deck officers will find vision and colour-vision guidance, watchkeeping and fatigue resources, and fitness programmes for deck work.

Yes. Hotel, entertainment and marine crew on cruise ships can use every tool and guide, including the dedicated cruise-crew page.

Typically your passport or ID, seafarer documents, previous medical certificate, relevant medical reports, medication and prescription details, glasses or contact-lens information, and previous test reports. Exact requirements vary by jurisdiction, authority, employer, flag state, duties and examiner.

Confirm which authority’s rules apply, book an authorized examiner, gather your documents using our checklist, rest well and avoid alcohol and loud noise beforehand, and answer medical-history questions fully and honestly. The preparation checker produces a personal summary.

Always with the official source: your national maritime authority (and, where relevant, the flag state of your ship and your employer). Each SeafarerFit country page names the authority, links to its official website and shows when we last checked it.

Calculators, the preparation checker and the fatigue self-assessment run in your browser and do not send your answers to SeafarerFit or to analytics. The optional certificate tracker stores dates you choose to save, encrypted, and you can delete them at any time.

Under international rules the maximum is two years (one year for seafarers under 18), and six years for colour-vision certification. National authorities may set shorter periods, so always check the expiry date on your own certificate.