ENG1 Medicals

A seafarer medical typically takes thirty to sixty minutes.

An MCA approved doctor will carry out or perform the ENG1 assessment.

They will – Check your identification ( this must be an up to date passport/ driving licence/ National identity card or Discharge book

• Check your last ENG1 certificate which you HAVE to surrender
• Ask for a urine sample  to ensure you have no blood, protein or sugar ( diabetes)
• Check your height and your weight and calculate your BMI.
• Check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, feel your stomach.
• Check your legs for varicose veins and ensure you do not have a hernia either around the belly button or in your groin.

It is sensible to wear shorts and a t-shirt  the MCA advise you are examined in your underwear, but appropriate shorts and sports bra are also acceptable and advised as you may be examined by a male or female doctor.

Original in date Passport

Driving licence

Discharge book

National Identity card

Previous ENG1 certificate

Full bladder you will need to provide a urine sample shortly after arrival

Glasses/ Contact lenses and replacement lenses if required please do not arrive wearing contact lenses as you will be asked to remove these as part of your medical

Any hospital or GP letters if you have previous or ongoing medical conditions

If you have a BMI of 35 or greater – Calculate your body mass index (BMI) – NHS – NHS

then you will be required to perform a fitness test, such as a Chester step test or a or Queen’s step test this does incur an additional fee

This can sometime be done at the same time as the medical or may have to be booked in separately you can ask about this before your medical here  if you think you will need this.

Yes, you can pass your medical or be given an ENG1 certificate if you have well controlled asthma and have NOT been given oral steroids ( prednisolone tablets) in the last 3 years.

Poorly controlled asthma means you are unable to have an ENG1 certificate but is decided on an individual basis on the evidence given to the doctor based upon the severity and control of your asthma.

Recent hospital admissions or being prescribed oral steroids to help manage your asthma can mean you are not able to have an ENG1 certificate for the next 3 years

A report from your GP or specialist is often required to confirm your asthma control and it is sensible to bring this with you to the medical .

This depends on the type of diabetes and how it is managed. If you have Type 2 diabetes controlled by diet or certain oral medications that do not pose a significant risk of hypoglycaemia, and there are no related complications, you may be passed fit. Diabetes requiring insulin or other specific medications is assessed on a case-by-case basis, often requiring a restricted certificate and adherence to strict MCA protocols to ensure safety at sea.

Yes, you can pass your medical and obtain an ENG1 certificate if you are taking medication.

However the approved doctor will consider the medical condition for which you are being treated and any potential side effects of the medication that could impair your ability to perform your duties safely at sea. It is important to declare all medications you are taking. A letter from your GP or specialist may be required to confirm the risks involved with taking the medication or missing medication.

– ENG1: This medical certificate is required for anyone working at sea on a merchant vessel or for a seafarer on a yacht over 24 metres or carrying more than 12 passengers. It adheres to international (STCW) standards.

– ML5: This is a UK-specific certificate for crew on smaller domestic commercial vessels, such as small workboats or fishing boats operating within UK waters.

The ML5 medical report and certificate are for masters and crew of small commercial vessels operating under UK codes of practice (up to 24 metres in length, operating not more than 60 miles from a safe haven), and for crew on domestic passenger ships that do not go to sea.

An ENG1 certificate is an internationally recognised seafarer medical certificate compliant with the STCW convention. It allows you to work on vessels operating worldwide without geographical restriction.

The MCA sets a maximum statutory fee for a standard ENG1 medical examination.

However, we may charge additional fees for postage or any additional admin work as well as any extra tests required such as a fitness test if your BMI was greater than 35 or if you needed an ECG or another additional test or obtaining reports from other specialists if required for your assessment.