The medical certificate required by fishermen on UK vessels
By the end of November 2023, fishermen working on a UK vessel must have a certificate of medical fitness.
Working on the water
means you are further away from medical facilities and treatment so need to have
a suitable level of health - one of the many reasons the medical certificate is
required by international law.
For most fishermen the medical certificate needed is an ML5, a doctor-approved record that shows you are fit enough to work safely at sea.
Julie Carlton, MCA Head of Seafarer Safety and Health, said:
“By getting an ML5
certificate, fishermen have the reassurance that they are medically fit enough to do their
work, without causing a risk to themselves or others.
“In turn this reduces
the risk of falling ill while at sea, and means our search and rescue assets can
be sent to other incidents that couldn’t have been predicted.
“The work of
fishermen is both physically and mentally demanding, so health needs to be put
first. This law further accelerates our mission of protecting lives at sea.”
Download and print the application form for an ML5 certificate and book an appointment with your GP
or a doctor who can conduct the ML5 medical examination.
In
many cases, the doctor will be able to complete the report and issue an ML5
certificate there and then.
This
will be valid for five years, or one year if you are aged over 65.
If
you have a medical condition causing increased risk, you can be referred to an
MCA medical assessor for further consideration.
For more
information and to access a form visit Gov.uk
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