ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate

The mandatory medical fitness certificate for anyone working commercially at sea in the UK.

Course Overview

What is it?

The ENG1 is a medical fitness certificate issued by MCA-approved doctors. It confirms you are physically and mentally fit to work at sea on UK-flagged commercial vessels. It is not a course — it is a medical examination. Most yacht crew jobs and STCW certifications require a valid ENG1 before employment can start.

Who needs it?

Anyone working commercially on a UK-flagged vessel: yacht crew, skippers, engineers, stewards, chefs, deckhands. Some non-UK flag states accept the ENG1 in lieu of their own medical (Marshall Islands, Cayman Islands typically do). For non-UK flags that require their own certificate, the ENG1 is often the practical equivalent and the prep is identical.

Duration

Approximately 30–45 minutes for the medical examination itself. Add 5–10 minutes for forms and certificate issue. Booking lead time is typically 2–3 weeks at popular MCA-approved practices.

Cost Range

GBP 110 – 160 in the UK. Some clinics charge premium rates (£200+) for same-day appointments. Mediterranean and Caribbean approved examiners typically charge EUR 150 – 250.

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites
You must be fit enough to pass the medical
Bring photographic ID, your eyeglasses/contact lenses if you use them, any current prescriptions, and the names and dosages of regular medications

What you learn

This is an examination, not a course
The doctor will assess: vision, hearing, blood pressure, BMI, urine sample (for diabetes/kidney), general health, mental health history, medication review
There may be a colour-vision test depending on the role
Some categories require additional tests (ECG over 40, audiogram for engineers)

Certification

ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, valid for 2 years (1 year if under 18). Lost or damaged certificates can be replaced for ~£25 from the issuing doctor.

What to Expect at the Medical

The five parts of the ENG1 medical and how to prepare for each. Most candidates pass first time if they prepare properly.

The ENG1 examination is standardised across MCA-approved doctors. It takes 30–45 minutes and consists of five parts. None of them is hard if you are reasonably healthy.

The five tests

Vision — read an eye chart at distance (unaided and with glasses if you wear them). Colour vision test for deck/bridge roles. Near vision tested for chart-reading-relevant roles
Hearing — whispered voice test typically, audiogram for engineers. You must hear normal speech at 2 metres
Cardiovascular — blood pressure measured (target: under 140/90 to pass without question). ECG for over-40s on first ENG1
Urine sample — tested for glucose (diabetes screening) and protein (kidney function)
General examination — height, weight, BMI calculation, abdominal palpation, mental health discussion, medication review

The doctor follows a standardised checklist. There is no 'extra credit' for being super fit, just pass/fail/restricted-pass thresholds. Reasonable fitness, normal blood pressure, no hidden conditions = pass.

Common Reasons for Restriction or Failure

What stops a pass — and what to do about it. Most failures are managed conditions where the right paperwork makes the difference.

The MCA publishes a 'Medical Fitness Standards' document (MGN 219) listing the conditions that affect pass/fail. The summary is: most managed conditions pass with restrictions; uncontrolled conditions or unreported conditions fail.

Common reasons for restriction or failure

High blood pressure (over 140/90) — most common single cause of restriction. Manageable with diet, exercise, or medication. Re-test in 2 weeks usually clears
High BMI — a BMI over 30 may trigger restriction; over 40 may fail
Diabetes — controlled type 1 or type 2 may pass with restriction (regular monitoring, no isolated duties); uncontrolled fails
Mental health — declared depression or anxiety on current medication may pass with restriction; recent suicide attempts or unmanaged conditions fail
Colour blindness — affects bridge/deck eligibility (light identification). Some roles allow it; many do not
Hearing loss — hearing aids permitted; total deafness in one ear may restrict
Epilepsy — 10-year seizure-free clearance can pass; recent seizures fail
Heart conditions — depends on the specific condition; specialist letter required

Three outcomes: 'Fit', 'Fit with restrictions' (e.g. with corrective lenses, no lookout duty due to colour vision, no working alone), or 'Unfit'. The restriction outcomes still allow most yacht jobs. Only 'unfit' actually blocks you from working at sea.

Never lie or omit on the medical history form. The doctor checks against NHS records where possible. Discovered omissions retroactively void the certificate — and may have criminal consequences if a medical event at sea harms others. Always declare; let the doctor decide.

Renewal & Working Overseas

When to renew, how to find an approved doctor overseas, and the practical logistics of keeping the ENG1 valid for a yachting career.

An ENG1 is valid for 2 years for adults (1 year if under 18). The renewal process is identical to the first medical — there is no 'lite' version for renewals.

Renewal logistics

Book the renewal at least 3 weeks before expiry — gives margin if a re-test is needed
Most yacht employers want a certificate valid for the full duration of the contract (so 2 years validity on signing)
If your ENG1 expires mid-contract, the operator must arrange a medical at the next port — usually at the operator's cost
Renewals can be done at any MCA-approved doctor worldwide, not just where you first took it