In order to serve at sea, seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention, Regulation 1/9 and the STCW Code, Section A-I/9. The West of England P&I Club says that a high proportion of illness claims involve seafarers from the Philippines and Ukraine and introduces its enhanced PEME programme with focus on identifying suitable clinics in these countries.
The programme gives operators the option to send their Filipino and Ukrainian seafarers for a rigorous medical examination at a PEME clinic which has been appointed by the Club following a comprehensive on-site inspection by the Club’s medical adviser. Each clinic will be audited periodically to ensure that standards are being maintained.
It should be noted that the aim of an enhanced PEME is to seek a reasonable standard of fitness, not super-fitness, commensurate with the seafarer carrying out their routine seagoing duties safely without risk to their health or the wellbeing of others.
Although operators are encouraged to make use of the Club’s enhanced PEME programme, there is no obligation for them to do so. Indeed, Members who are satisfied with their existing PEME clinics may continue to use them.
Since the enhanced PEME programme includes tests and checks which exceed the regulatory minimum, it is possible that a seafarer who does not pass a PEME at a clinic appointed by the Club may still satisfy a medical examination carried out in accordance with basic statutory provisions. In such circumstances Members may wish to consult with the Club’s medical adviser before reaching a decision regarding employment.
In accordance with the ILO/WHO guidelines, any seafarer who fails an enhanced PEME will be advised by the clinic that they are entitled to appeal the decision via the Club’s medical adviser.
Learn more about the Club’s PEME Program here
In order to serve at sea, seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention, Regulation 1/9 and the STCW Code, Section A-I/9. The ILO/WHO publication “Guidelines on the Medical Examinations of Seafarers” provides the recommended standard for such examination. Please click below to view the publication:
Source: The West of England P&I Club
