What Is the ENG1?
The ENG1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate) is a UK MCA-approved medical certificate confirming that a seafarer is medically fit to work at sea. It is required for anyone working aboard a UK-flagged vessel and is widely accepted by other flag states, P&I clubs and charter brokers as the de facto standard medical certificate for the superyacht industry.
The certificate is valid for 2 years (or 1 year for seafarers over 65). It must be renewed before expiry — there is no grace period.
Who Can Issue an ENG1?
Only doctors on the MCA's approved list can issue ENG1 certificates. In practice, most major ports and yachting hubs have convenient options:
- Antibes / Nice: Several approved clinics; book 2–3 weeks ahead in pre-season
- Palma de Mallorca: 2–3 approved MCA doctors, typically available within a week
- Fort Lauderdale: Multiple options, often same-week availability
- UK: Widely available at occupational health clinics
What Does the ENG1 Assessment Include?
- Cardiovascular assessment (ECG for some age groups)
- Vision — including colour vision test (Ishihara plates)
- Hearing assessment
- Blood pressure and urine analysis
- Mental health assessment
- Review of any existing medical conditions and medications
- Physical examination
Be honest about medications. Undisclosed conditions discovered by a P&I club can result in certificate invalidation.
Conditions That Commonly Affect ENG1 Fitness
- Colour vision deficiency — important for bridge watchkeeping roles
- Diabetes (Type 1) — may qualify with restrictions
- Epilepsy — generally requires a minimum seizure-free period
- Cardiovascular conditions — assessed individually
- Mental health conditions — assessed individually; many conditions qualify with management evidence
What Happens If You're Refused?
- Informal appeal — request a second opinion from another approved doctor
- Formal appeal — submit to the MCA's Medical Referee
- Restricted certificate — many conditions qualify with operational restrictions
Cost and How to Book
ENG1 assessments typically cost £90–£200 in the UK, or €100–€250 in Europe. Book at least 6 weeks before your current certificate expires during peak seasons (March–April) as approved doctors can be heavily booked.