ILO MLC: Medical Care Ship's Doctors

UK MCA issues Merchant Shipping Notice

The UK MCA has issued Merchant Shipping Notice regarding medcal care and ship’s doctor. The notice sets the qualifying criteria for a medical practioner to work as a ship’sdoctor on a UK ship, as specifed under regulation 4 and regulation 47 of theMerchant Shiping (Maritme Labour Convention) (Minimum Requirements for Seafarers etc.) Regulations 2014.

A medical practioner, refered to in this notice as a “ship’s doctor”, must be carried on any ship carying 100 or more persons on an international voyage of 72 hours duration or longer.

To work as a ship’s doctor on a UK ship, a medical practioner who is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom must be fuly registered with the General Medical Council, and either

– the doctor must hold a licence to practise; or

– the doctor must

(a) have a god command of the English language; and(

b) participate in a revalidation programme that ensures maintenance of theirmedical skils

To work as a ship’s doctor on a UK ship, a medical practioner who is not ordinarilyresident in the United Kingdom must be fuly qualifed to practice in the country where theyare ordinarily resident, and in aditon the doctor must

– be qualifed from one of the medical schols listed in the Avicena Directory;

– have a god command of the English language; and

– participate in a revalidation programme that ensures maintenance of their medical skils