Seafarer Medical Examination System, Medical & Eyesight Standards and List of Approved Doctors
Seafarer Medical Certificates
The Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2005 (Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 701 of 2005) make it a legal requirement for any seafarer, as defined in the regulations, to hold a valid certificate attesting to their medical fitness. These Regulations, which came into operation on 12th December 2005, apply to seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board every seagoing ship registered in the state and ordinarily engaged in commercial maritime operations. A seagoing ship is one that is certified under Merchant Shipping Legislation for navigation at sea and normally includes all vessels engaged in trade, carrying cargo or fare-paying passengers. Full details on the application of these medical standards to seafarers are set out in Marine Notice No. 30 of 2005
Eyesight Testing
Candidates for Certificates of Competency for Fishing Vessel Deck Officer are required to successfully pass an eyesight test. Full details on the eyesight requirements are set out in Marine Notice No. 32 of 2005 and Marine Notice No. 33 of 2005
Medical Fitness Certificates
For the purposes of Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Manning) Regulations 2005 (SI No. 649 of 2005) the Master and anyone else employed on the classes of passenger boats of less than 80 gross tons or less than 24 metres registered length and engaged exclusively in passenger boat operations, who have safety responsibilities, should hold a medical fitness certificate. Full details are set out in Marine Notice No. 27 of 2005 and Marine Notice No. 4 of 2006.