Answer
Medical standards ensure seafarers are physically and mentally fit to perform routine and emergency duties at sea without endangering themselves, their crewmates, or the vessel. Standards are governed under STCW Regulation I/9 (and Code Section A-I/9), MLC 2006 Regulation 1.2, and the ILO/IMO Guidelines on Medical Examinations of Seafarers.
Core Medical Requirements
- Physical & Mental Capacity:
- Adequate physical agility, strength, and stamina to navigate ladders, enter confined spaces, handle heavy gear, and participate in emergency response (firefighting, abandon ship drills).
- Absence of chronic active diseases (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, severe cardiovascular illness, insulin-dependent diabetes with frequent hypoglycemic episodes, or severe psychiatric disorders) that pose risks far from shore-based medical care.
- Eyesight Standards (STCW Table A-I/9):
- Distance Visual Acuity: Minimum criteria specified for deck and engine personnel (e.g., Deck officers require 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other aided/unaided; Engine officers typically require minimum 6/12 in each eye).
- Color Vision: Must pass recognized color perception tests (e.g., Ishihara 24/38 plate test). Crucial for deck officers identifying navigation lights/buoys and engine officers identifying electrical wiring, piping color codes, and control panel alarms.
- Hearing Standards:
- Hearing must be sufficient to perceive audio alarms, emergency signals, and radio/intercom communications (tested via pure-tone audiometry; hearing loss should not exceed 30 dB averaged across 500 Hz to 3000 Hz in the better ear).
- Validity & Certification:
- Medical certificates must be issued by a medical practitioner officially registered and approved by the Maritime Administration (e.g., DG Shipping / Flag State authority).
- Maximum validity is 2 years for adult seafarers (or 1 year for seafarers under 18 years of age).