OOW Revision: Medical Fitness & Eyesight Standards (MSN 1856, Section 12)

Revision card 6 of 7 — Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited, STCW Convention Regulation II/1, MSN 1856 (M+F) Amendment 1.

What's Required

• Every CoC requires a valid medical fitness certificate meeting the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010
• In the UK this is the ENG1, issued by an MCA-approved medical practitioner — or a certificate from another administration recognised as equivalent
• The medical exam includes a sight test for both colour vision and visual acuity — failing the statutory standard means an unrestricted medical certificate can't be issued

Timing

• It's strongly advised to get a medical and sight test before you start training, not after — a separate sight test can be arranged with a local optometrist using an Application for Seafarer Vision Test Form (MSF 4100)
• Your certificate must show the exam date, validity period and any restrictions applied
• Your ENG1 may have expired between application and NOE stage, but it must be valid at the point your CoC is actually issued

Quick Self-Check

• What two things does the sight test specifically check?
• Why is it worth getting tested before committing to training rather than after?
• Does your ENG1 need to be valid at application, at CoC issue, or both?

Related Reading

• The ENG1 Medical Certificate: Everything You Need to Know Before Applying