Guidelines on the medical examinations of seafarers
Seafarers are required to undergo medical examinations to reduce risks to other crewmembers and for the safe operation of the ship, as well as to safeguard their personal health and safety.
Seafarers are required to undergo medical examinations to reduce risks to other crew members and for the safe operation of the ship, as well as to safeguard their personal health and safety. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, therefore require seafarers to hold medical certificates attesting that they are medically fit to perform the duties they are to carry out at sea.
These Guidelines will assist medical practitioners, shipowners, seafarers’ representatives, seafarers and other relevant persons with the conduct of medical fitness examinations of serving seafarers and seafarer candidates. They also will help administrations establish criteria that will lead to equitable decisions about who can safely and effectively perform their routine and emergency duties at sea, provided these are compatible with their individual health-related capabilities.
They have been developed in order to reduce the differences in the application of medical requirements and examination procedures and to ensure that the medical certificates which are issued to seafarers are a valid indicator of their medical fitness for the duties they will perform.
Ultimately, the aim of the Guidelines is to contribute to health and safety at sea.
For further details please contact
Dr. Ashok Kapoor, MD,DM
00971504505865