Guidance

MIN 701 (M+F) MLC and ILO 188: Reportable medical conditions during validity period of a medical certificate

Published 22 December 2023

Summary

This information note explains what a significant change to your medical fitness means, the need to report this to the issuing authority and the procedures on how to report this.  

1. Introduction/background

1.1 There are some medical conditions that must be reported to the issuing authority during the validity of a medical fitness certificate. This applies to both the ENG1 and ML5 medical certificates.

1.2 For merchant seafarers the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010, regulation 12 states that a person who is a seafarer who holds a medical fitness certificate and who is, or is likely to be, absent from work for a period of thirty days of more due to a medical condition or develops a significant medical condition must report that condition as soon as practicable to the authority which issued that certificate.

1.3 For fishermen the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2018, regulation 12 states that a person who is a fisherman who holds a medical fitness certificate and who is, or is likely to be, absent from work or a period of thirty days or more due to a medical condition or develops a significant medical condition must report that condition as soon as practicable to the authority which issued that certificate.

1.4 The definitions in both regulations are “medical condition” which includes both injury and illness and a “significant medical condition” as one which adversely affects or is reasonably likely to adversely affect the ability of the seafarer or fisherman to perform the duties they will carry out at sea, including the ability to undertake emergency duties.

2. Change in medical history

2.1 Every person working on board a ship has a duty to ensure their own health and safety and that of others working with them. It is therefore the responsibility of the medical certificate holder not to work when temporarily unfit to do so due to illness or injury. The holder must advise the approved doctor, if during the validity of the ENG1 certificate, they develop or suffer a medical incident related to any of the following:

a) a serious health problem or injury where they will not fully recover;

b) any of the conditions listed below:

i. epileptic seizures or sudden disturbances of consciousness

ii. myocardial infarction (heart attack) or heart surgery

iii. problems with heart rhythm (arrythmia)

iv. disease of the heart or arteries

v. high or uncontrolled blood pressure

vi. diabetes requiring insulin treatment

vii. stroke or unexplained loss of consciousness

viii. head injury with continuing loss of consciousness

ix. Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis

x. mental or nervous problems including anxiety or depression

xi. alcohol or drug dependency problems

xii. profound deafness

xiii. serious deterioration in vision or long-term eye disease

c) any other disability or illness (mental or physical) which affects or may affect their fitness to work, in particular to navigate safely and to be able to undertake emergency duties; for instance, diabetes changes from diet or tablets to insulin.

More information

Medical Administration Team
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/17
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0)203 81 72835

Email: medical@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.

Published: December 2023