Seafarer Medical Requirements

Seafarer medical requirements are layered. International conventions set minimum rules; each country’s maritime authority turns them into national law, sets detailed medical standards and authorizes the doctors who examine seafarers.

1. 1International guidanceILO · IMO · MLC 2006 · STCW
2. 2National maritime authorityImplements the rules for its flag/country
3. 3Applicable medical standardsVision, hearing, fitness criteria
4. 4Authorized medical examinerApproved/recognised by that authority
5. 5Medical examinationHistory, tests and assessment
6. 6Medical certificateIssued only through that process

The international framework

Two international instruments set the baseline for most seafarers:

• Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) — adopted by the International Labour Organization. Regulation 1.2 requires seafarers to hold a valid medical certificate attesting that they are medically fit for their duties.
• STCW Convention — adopted by the International Maritime Organization. Regulation I/9 and Section A-I/9 of the STCW Code set medical standards, including minimum eyesight standards.

The ILO and IMO have also published joint Guidelines on the medical examinations of seafarers (2011) to help authorities and examiners apply these rules consistently.

Key international points on medical certificates

Under MLC, 2006 Standard A1.2 (national rules may be stricter):

• A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year for seafarers under 18.
• A certification of colour vision is valid for a maximum of six years.
• If a certificate expires during a voyage, it remains in force until the next port of call where a recognised medical practitioner is available, for no longer than three months.

Topics

• RequirementsThe International Framework for Seafarer Medical FitnessHow the MLC, 2006, the STCW Convention and the ILO/IMO guidelines fit together.1 min read
• RequirementsMedical Certificate Validity Under International RulesMaximum validity periods set by the MLC, 2006 and STCW — and why your own certificate may differ.1 min read
• RequirementsVision Standards for Seafarers: An OverviewWhere seafarer eyesight standards come from, and what they typically cover.1 min read
• RequirementsHearing Standards for Seafarers: An OverviewHow hearing is assessed for seafarers and where the standards come from.1 min read

Requirements by country

Choose your country to see its maritime authority, applicable standards and official sources. Never assume another country’s rules apply to you.