The ENG1 medical certificate is a compulsory requirement if you are to work commercially as a seafarer. This includes obtaining commercial endorsements on any RYA qualifications. If you are aspiring to be a commercial seafarer, the ENG1 certificate is a must for you. In this article, we discuss the three categories of the ENG1 Medical Certificate.
What is an ENG1 Medical Certificate?
The ENG1 Medical Certificate is a Certificate of Fitness which declares that a seafarer is fit to work on a vessel. ENG1 is a medical examination to assess whether a seafarer is fit for their duties. This certificate is generally valid for up to two years or otherwise stated by the approved doctor.
We have previously mentioned the ENG1 Medical certificates in multiple articles. One of our articles also covers the topic extensively.
However, let us expand further on this topic.
The ENG1 Medical Certificate and the Categories
The ENG1 Medical Fitness Certificate abides by the standards set by STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), MLC (Maritime Labour Convention), and IMO (International Maritime Organization).
Based on these standards, you may be issued a medical certificate of fitness in the following categories.
- Fit without restrictions (unrestricted);
- Fit with restrictions (unable to perform certain duties due to health circumstances); or
- Temporarily or permanently unfit (ENG3, provided you are unfit or have restrictions on your ENG1).
Understanding ENG1, ENG2, and ENG3
If you are deemed unfit for work, you may receive the ENG3 form. Let’s talk about that in the next point.
So, what do these terms mean?
ENG1 refers to the actual medical fitness certificate that you receive if you are fit for work. This also includes the ENG1 with restrictions as mentioned above.
ENG2 refers to the medical examination report that validates your ENG1 medical fitness certificate. This report documents the details of your medical examination and shows why you are fit for work.
ENG3 refers to a form that declares that you may be denied from working on certain positions or performing certain duties, or you are altogether unfit. This form also tells you what you can do if you have the ENG3 notice on your ENG1 certificate.
These are not to be mistaken as categories.
What do I do if I receive an ENG3 Notice?
In either case (restricted or permanently unfit), you can appeal the decision within one month of receiving your results. Your ENG3 results will have all the information about what you can do to have an independent medical review. MCA will cover the expenses of your medical review.
During your re-examination, you will be asked for certain documents for verification purposes. This includes the following.
- Your passport or Seaman’s Discharge Book;
- Your restricted ENG1, if issued (included if you fail the Ishihara Color Test AND CAD test);
- The medical papers that are relevant to your health conditions and/or letters or reports from your private consultants or GP; and
- The job description of your current or most recent job.
Furthermore, you can also request additional tests or opinions from additional specialists. The medical referee will take this information into account and provide a sound, fair review at the end of your examination. This decision will be final and irreversible by any means.
An ENG3 medical remark, whether temporary or permanent, is valid for at least 5 years.
If you must re-apply for the ENG1 medical certificate, you may do so after 5 years. In this case, you need to procure clinical evidence stating that the condition that was deemed unfit has been reversed.
Conclusion
The ENG1 Medical Fitness examination is a must for any seafarer working in a commercial environment. This applies to working on a superyacht as well. By now, you must have understood the three categories of the ENG1 Medical Certificate and what you may have to do if you are deemed unfit.
Relax your mind before attending an ENG1 medical fitness examination. Make sure you follow the approved doctor’s instructions carefully and you will be okay.
This article is loosely based on the information from this article on the UK Government website. Please refer to their website for a complete picture.
Also, if you are looking for Superyacht Crew or STCW training, Sail and Power SA is here for you. Kindly visit our website sections for more information or contact us today with queries you may have. We will gladly assist you.