Seafarers are governed by Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Rules, 2005 and follow WHO/ILO guidelines. The guidelines now prescribed under MLC, 2006 are also considered and will be followed. The rules are at present being adjusted in line with MLC, 2006 requirements.
Why Medical Examination for Shipping Crews is required?
Today, 90% of world trade is carried by ship which means the goods and fuels are transported around the world by seafarers. There are over 1.6 million seafarers worldwide. Seafarer is someone who is employed to serve aboard any type of marine vessel. Seafarers leave their homes and are often away for nine to twelve months at a time. If you just take a look around your house you will see the importance of what seafarers do. These goods were brought to you by sea, your television, your laptop, your fridge, your clothing etc. This article will help to address the questions regarding Medicals for Maritime Shipping.
D.G. Shipping approved medical certificate is a requirement
Every person working onboard must have a certificate attesting his fitness for the work for which he is to be employed at sea. This is to make sure that they would not pose a risk to the passengers and other employees on board. Seafarers deal with irregular working hours and adjust to the climatic changes. Therefore, people working away from home in the middle of the waters require safety health measures taken before the voyage. The purpose is to avoid any health-related issues cropping up during their tenure enabling them to perform their duties.
Maritime Authorities have a standard (as per ILO-147) that requires all employees to be medically fit for service onboard cruise ships. Anyone desiring to work or currently working on a cruise ship should have a valid certificate. Flag state medicals for Greek, Panama, Liberia, Marshal Islands, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Singapore, Malaysia etc. can also be processed.
The medical examination of Directorate General of Shipping (D.G. Shipping) includes the following:
- A full physical examination by checking your height, weight, blood pressure is taken depending on the kind of work the patient will be doing or the particular cruise line’s requirements
- Listing any medication, you are currently taking
- An enquiry regarding your previous medical history
- A self-declaration questionnaire to be completed by the employee
- An eye examination is done to check your eyesight (with and without glasses) and colour vision testing is also done
- Chest X-ray
- Hearing Test
- Additional tests like an ECG and a pregnancy test (for female candidates)
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