The Ultimate guide to getting a Seafarer Medical Certificate (ENG1)

This guide is for anyone going into the super yacht industry who will need to get a seafarer medical certificate (ENG1) and wants some insight into getting one. Having just completed mine I thought I’d share with you my experience.

What is a ENG1 certificate?

It’s a certificate that enables you to work at sea. It’s to check if you have any on going medical conditions that might impact you working whilst at sea.

How Much does it cost?

It cost me £80

How long does it take?

It took me around 20 minutes but can take up to 40 minutes.

Can it be done anywhere?

No. You will have to search for a MCA Approved doctor and book the ENG1 with them. I found a list of doctors on the Yachting Pages website and I e-mailed every single one that was close to me asking for their available dates and just waited for a response. I checked and compared prices and dates and booked in asap. I was able to get mine booked within a week.

What should I bring?

I brought my passport, all you need is some form of ID (Drivers licence, passport, any form of photo ID). If you have any medical documents bring those along too. I didn’t have any of these so obviously I didn’t bring any.

What does the medical exam involve?

Don’t worry it’s a non-invasive procedure. They will however ask you to go down to your underwear at some point as well as ask for a urine sample but I’ll explain that later.

Questions asked:

• Date of birth
• Home address
• Mobile number
• What you’ll use the eng1 for
• Where are you registered (GP)
• Any significant family history issues (Diabetes, heart disease, stroke)
• Are you fit and well
• Any past history of infectious or contagious disease
• Any history of cancer
• Are you diabetic
• Any nervous or mental ill health
• Epilepsy, fits or fainting
• Migraines or severe headaches
• Any significant head injuries or concussion
• Not knowingly got high blood pressure
• Any known heart conditions of any sort
• Any Varicose veins or piles
• Any respiratory disease, asthma, bronchitis
• Any stomach, abdominal, bowel problems
• Any kidney or bladder problems
• Any skin disease of any sort
• Past history of significant breaks, dislocation of joints, bones
• Any back pain, joint pain
• Any hernias
• Do you wear glasses for any reason
• Any other visual symptoms
• Any ear, nose or throat problems of any sort
• Not knowingly hearing impaired?
• Any allergies to anything
• Any sleep problems
• Do you smoke
• Alchohol consumption
• Any other illnesses or operations not listed by the things above
• Any regular medication
• Are you undergoing any other form of treatment

Once you’ve answered all these questions you’ll be asked to sign and date the questions form confirming your medical history. The medical exam will now start.

Test 1: Your BMI

Done by measuring your height and weight and using a BMI calculator

Test 2: Blood pressure & heart rate

Done by attaching a sphygmomanometer to your arm around the bicep.

Test 3: Urine sample

This is to check for kidney functionality and blood sugar levels

Test 4: Vision test

This is where you read the letters off the wall from a distance covering each eye separately.

Test 5: Colour vision

They give you a book with coloured dots. within the dots are slightly different coloured dots in the shape of numbers. All you have to do is state the numbers shown.

Test 6: Hearing check

Put on some headphones. Listen to the beeps. Tap the screen when you hear the beep.

Test 7: Listening to your heart and lungs

This is the part where you have to get down to your underwear so they can accurately test your heart and lungs using a stethoscope.

Once all the tests are complete you’re all done! If you’ve passed you will be issued with your Seafarer Medical Certificate (ENG1).

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