A seafarer medical certificate is the proof of fitness every seafarer must hold under STCW Regulation I/9 and MLC 2006 Standard A1.2, issued by a doctor the flag or national administration recognises and valid for up to two years (one year under 18). ENG1 is the UK’s version of that certificate, not a higher grade of it. Which version you need depends on the flag of your ship and the administration issuing your seaman book, not on the brand of the certificate.
Written by Dipak Paudel, Seaman Books. Checked against IMO/ILO, UK MCA, Bahamas, Liberia and India DGMA sources on 28 October 2026.
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Definition: seafarer medical certificate A certificate, signed by a recognised medical practitioner, stating that a seafarer meets the hearing, eyesight and general fitness standards for the duties they will perform at sea. One certificate issued to the STCW standard also satisfies MLC 2006, which states that “a medical certificate issued in accordance with the requirements of STCW shall be accepted” (Standard A1.2).
At a glance
| Legal basis | STCW Regulation I/9 and Code Section A-I/9; MLC 2006 Regulation 1.2 / Standard A1.2 (imo.org and ilo.org ) |
| Maximum validity | 2 years; 1 year under 18; colour vision up to 6 years |
| Who issues | A doctor recognised by the administration. Never an agency, and never Seaman Books |
| ENG1 | The UK MCA’s seafarer medical certificate, issued only by MCA approved doctors. Fee £115 |
| National medicals | Issued under each country’s own rules, e.g. India (DGS-approved examiners) and the Philippines (DOH-recognised practitioners) |
| Not a seafarer medical | An OEUK/OGUK offshore medical, or a PEME report that did not produce a seafarer medical certificate |
ENG1, flag-state MLC medicals and national medicals compared
The certificate is international; the issuing system is national. Every column below meets the same STCW/MLC minimum. What differs is who may examine you and who accepts the result.
| ENG1 (UK) | Flag-state STCW/MLC medical | National medical (e.g. India, Philippines) | PEME | OEUK / OGUK offshore medical | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | UK statutory seafarer medical certificate | The certificate format a flag administration accepts for its ships and seaman books | A country’s own seafarer medical, for its national CDC/SIRB and ships | Employer’s or manning agency’s pre-employment exam | Offshore energy industry medical |
| Issued by | MCA approved doctor (AD) | A practitioner the flag recognises (rules differ by flag, see below) | India: DGS-approved medical examiner. Philippines: DOH-recognised practitioner | Clinic chosen by employer | OEUK-registered doctor |
| Validity | Up to 2 years (1 under 18) | Up to 2 years (1 under 18) | India: 2 years, 1 under 18, 1 over 65 | Set by employer | Up to 2 years (Source: OGUK/OEUK) |
| Meets STCW I/9 / MLC A1.2? | Yes. MCA states it is MLC compliant | Yes, by definition | Yes, where the country is party to STCW | Only if it also produced a seafarer medical certificate | No. Different standard |
| Accepted for a flag-state seaman book? | Depends on the flag’s examiner rule | Yes, for that flag | Depends on the flag’s examiner rule | Only the certificate part, not the report | No |
| Source | GOV.UK guidance | Flag notices (table below) | DGMA Maritime Health; DOH-MARINA JMC No. 1 s. 2022 | — | OEUK guide |
The point most pages miss: ENG1 is not “better” than an MLC medical. It is an MLC medical, issued through the UK’s approved-doctor system. The UK says the same about other countries in reverse: it accepts their certificates on UK ships only if the country is on its list.
Which countries’ medicals the UK accepts in place of ENG1
The MCA’s MSN 1815 Amendment 6 lists the administrations whose seafarer medical certificates are accepted on UK ships instead of an ENG1. Outside the EU/EEA, the list is: Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine. Malta and Bermuda carry conditions. (See the current GOV.UK list of ENG 1-equivalent medical certificates (MSN 1815 Amendment 7), which replaces Amendment 6.”)
| Your medical is from | Accepted on a UK-flag ship? | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| India (DGS-approved examiner) | Yes, listed | An Indian certificate can stand in for ENG1 on UK ships |
| Philippines | Not listed | You need an ENG1 (or a listed equivalent) to join a UK-flag ship |
| UAE | Not listed | Same |
| Panama, Liberia, Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Palau, St Kitts & Nevis | Not listed | These flags’ own medical arrangements do not count as ENG1 equivalents |
Two cautions. The list works in one direction only: it tells you what the UK accepts, not what Panama or Liberia accept. And it does not let a foreign doctor issue an ENG1: the notice says it “does not authorise doctors from these countries to issue ENG 1” certificates.
UK seafarer with an ENG1 applying for a second, flag-state book? See seaman book for UK seafarers.
Which medical each of our 7 flags accepts
Seaman Books files seaman book (CDC/SIRB) applications with seven administrations. This is the short version; the full filing rules, forms and timing are on seaman book medical requirements by flag.
| Flag | Examiner rule the flag publishes | Can an ENG1 be used? | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | Practitioner approved by the Bahamas Medical Council or by an administration that has ratified STCW/MLC (BMA MN028 §3.1) | The rule’s wording covers an MCA approved doctor (“An in-date, unrestricted ENG1 generally meets §3.1’s medical-certificate requirement for UK seafarers; any restrictions and the applicable vessel rules must still be checked. Confirm with the BMA and the MCA’s seafarer medical guidance | Bahamas seaman book |
| Liberia | Physical exam within 24 months on the Liberian “Fit for Duty” form, RLM-105M-2 (LISCR RLM-118 §4.4.1) | Check directly with the Liberian Registry’s medical certification programme or its approved medical practitioners list before relying on an ENG1 alone. | دفتر بحار ليبيريا |
| Panama | Certificate to STCW Code Section A-I/9 | Confirmed at application | Panama seaman book |
| Belize | IMMARBE publishes an approved practitioner list and its own medical form (IMMARBE) | Confirmed at application | Belize seaman book |
| St Kitts & Nevis | Form CT026, Physical Medical Examination Report for Seafarers (SKN Registry) | Confirmed at application | St Kitts & Nevis seaman book |
| Palau | Confirmed with the administration at application | Confirmed at application | Palau seaman book |
| Honduras | Confirmed with the administration at application | Confirmed at application | Honduras seaman book |
Before you book a new medical, send us the one you have. On the free eligibility check we compare it with your chosen flag’s examiner rule and expiry window, so you don’t pay twice. Start the check →
Medical standards by rank: what changes between deck, engine and other roles
The certificate is the same document for every rank; the eyesight standard is not. STCW Code Table A-I/9, reproduced in the ILO/WHO medical examination guidelines, sets minimum in-service standards (Snellen decimal, with glasses or lenses allowed):
| Role | Distance vision (aided) | Colour vision | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master, deck officers, deck cadets, ratings on lookout | 0.5 in each eye | CIE standard 1 or 2 | Normal visual fields; adequate night vision. At least 0.7 in one eye recommended |
| Engineer officers, ETOs, engine-room watch ratings | 0.4 combined (per-eye values from the STCW Code text; extraction read 0.45/0.4) | CIE standard 1, 2 or 3 | Must read close instruments and identify colour-coded systems |
| GMDSS radio operators | 0.4 in each eye | CIE standard 1, 2 or 3 | — |
| Hotel, catering and other non-watchkeeping crew | Table A-I/9 sets no watchkeeping value; the general fitness standard applies | Assessed for the duties | Cruise roles: see seaman book for cruise ship staff |
| Offshore installation roles | Seafarer medical plus the OEUK offshore medical where the operator requires it | — | OEUK medical · offshore courses |
Source: ILO/WHO Guidelines on the medical examinations of seafarers, reproducing STCW Table A-I/9. Under the UK system, a failed colour test may restrict a deck rating from night lookout, while a deck cadet who fails is found permanently unfit (UK Ship Register). Other administrations set their own restriction rules.
Rank ladders and what each role does: deck department ranks · engine department ranks. What the exam itself involves and what fails people: seafarer medical fitness test.
Validity and timing compared
| Rule | ENG1 | Bahamas | India (DGMA) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum validity | 2 years | 2 years, “cannot be extended” | 2 years | MLC A1.2; BMA MN028 §6.1; DGMA |
| Under 18 | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | MLC A1.2 |
| Over 65 | Check the expiry date printed on the certificate rather than assuming that turning 65 automatically invalidates it. | Not stated | 1 year | DGMA |
| Expires during a voyage | The GOV.UK rule is explicit: the seafarer may continue working until the next port of call where they can replace the certificate, or for up to three months after expiry, whichever comes first. This is a limited exception, not a routine extension of the certificate. | Valid to next port with a recognised doctor, max 3 months | Same, max 3 months | MN028 §6.1; DGMA |
| Colour vision | Up to 6 years | Up to 6 years | Ishihara test | MLC A1.2; DGMA |
| “Permanently unfit” | Stands for at least 5 years | — | — | GOV.UK |
For a seaman book file, the date that matters is the issue date. If your medical expires while the flag is processing your book, the file stops. Renew first if it is close to expiry.
Which medical do you need? Four common situations
- Indian seafarer, joining a Panama or Liberia ship. Your DGS medical covers your Indian CDC. For a flag-state book, check the flag’s examiner rule above. See foreign seaman book from India.
- Filipino seafarer. Your DOH-recognized medical serves Philippine purposes; it is not on the UK list, so UK-flag ships need an ENG1. For flag-state options see best seaman book for Filipino seafarers.
- UK or yacht crew holding an ENG1. Your ENG1 is an MLC medical. Whether a second flag accepts it depends on that flag’s examiner rule. See seaman book for UK seafarers.
- Working from Dubai or the GCC. Dubai clinics offer seafarer, ENG1 and offshore medicals; pick the one your flag and contract name, not the cheapest. See how to get a seaman book in Dubai.
What Seaman Books does, and does not do
We do not conduct medical examinations, issue medical certificates, or influence a fitness decision. That belongs to the examining doctor and, on review, the administration.
What we do: Seaman Books (Atomiq Management Consultancies L.L.C., Business Bay, Dubai, since 2011) prepares, checks and files flag-state seaman book (CDC/SIRB) applications with the Panama, Liberia, Bahamas, Palau, Belize, Honduras and St Kitts & Nevis administrations. On the medical, that means:
- checking your certificate against your chosen flag’s examiner and expiry rules before you pay a government fee
- telling you if your medical will expire before the book is likely to be issued
- filing the complete application and showing you how to verify the issued book with the administration yourself
What to send us for the check: passport copy, your current medical certificate (both sides), your rank, the flag you are joining, and your STCW certificates.
Turnaround: a written eligibility answer, reviewed by a person, within 24 hours. Price: government fees are set by each flag and quoted separately from our service fee.
Check my medical and eligibility → · All services for seafarers →
WhatsApp +971 55 458 3416 · #903 Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai · 09:30–18:00
Frequently asked questions
What is a seafarer medical certificate?
A certificate from a recognized doctor confirming you meet the hearing, eyesight and general fitness standards for your duties at sea. It is required by STCW Regulation I/9 and MLC 2006 Standard A1.2, and is valid for up to two years, or one year if you are under 18.
Is ENG1 the same as an MLC medical?
Yes, in standard. ENG1 is the UK’s seafarer medical certificate, issued by MCA approved doctors, and the MCA states it is MLC compliant. The difference is the issuing system: an ENG1 comes only from a UK-approved doctor, while other administrations recognise their own examiners.
Is ENG1 accepted by other flags?
Often, but it depends on each flag’s examiner rule. The Bahamas, for example, accepts practitioners approved by any administration that has ratified STCW/MLC. Other flags require their own forms or approved-doctor lists. Check your flag before relying on an ENG1 for a seaman book.
Does the UK accept an Indian seafarer medical instead of ENG1?
Yes. India is on the MCA’s list in MSN 1815 Amendment 6 of countries whose seafarer medical certificates are accepted on UK ships. An English translation is expected where needed. The list does not let Indian doctors issue ENG1 certificates themselves.
Does the UK accept a Philippine seafarer medical?
The Philippines is not on the MSN 1815 Amendment 6 list. A Filipino seafarer joining a UK-flag ship needs an ENG1 or a certificate from a listed country. Philippine medicals remain valid for Philippine purposes and for flags that recognize the examiner.
How long is a seafarer medical certificate valid?
Up to two years from the date of issue, or one year for seafarers under 18. Color vision certification can last up to six years. India limits seafarers over 65 to one year. A certificate cannot be extended, so renew before it expires.
Are eyesight standards different for deck and engine ranks?
Yes. Under STCW Table A-I/9, masters, deck officers and lookout ratings need aided distance vision of 0.5 in each eye and colour vision to CIE standard 1 or 2. Engine department personnel have a lower distance-vision threshold and may meet CIE standard 3.
Can I use an OEUK offshore medical as my seafarer medical?
No. The OEUK (formerly OGUK) medical is an offshore energy industry standard. A seaman book and a ship’s crew list need a seafarer medical certificate under STCW/MLC. Many offshore workers hold both. Check which one your contract names.
Does Seaman Books arrange seafarer medicals?
No. Seaman Books is a documentation consultancy. It does not examine seafarers or issue medical certificates. It checks that your existing certificate meets your chosen flag’s rules, then files your seaman book application with the flag administration.
More: seafarer medical fitness test · medical requirements by flag · seaman book FAQ
