Concierge maritime medicals · London
Seafarer ENG1 medical - London.
The MCA-approved fitness certificate required for all UK-flag seafarers and superyacht crew. Same-day certificate for straightforward candidates, with combined STCW and flag-state add-ons where the vessel requires them.
What it is
The statutory fitness certificate for UK-flag seafarers.
The ENG1 is the statutory medical fitness certificate required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for all UK-flag seafarers and superyacht crew. It is conducted by an MCA-approved doctor to the standards set out in MSN 1954 (Amendment 3) and MLC 2006.
A full certificate is valid for two years, dropping to annually once you turn 55. An ENG1 is required for merchant navy officers and ratings, superyacht crew on UK-flag vessels, workboat and tug crews, some cruise ship contracts, and offshore support vessels operating under UK articles.
What is checked
A focused, 45-minute panel.
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Vision
Distance, near and colour (Ishihara). Lantern test for deck department if Ishihara is failed.
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Hearing
Pure-tone audiometry plus speech-in-noise where indicated.
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Blood pressure
Sitting reading, repeated if the first is borderline.
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Urinalysis
Dipstick for protein, blood and glucose.
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Cardiovascular
Full examination, with a resting ECG for candidates over 50.
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Musculoskeletal
Fitness for shipboard mobility - ladders, hatches, life-raft embarkation.
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Medication review
Reconciliation of current prescriptions against MCA guidance.
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Mental health screen
Structured questioning aligned to MSN 1954.
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Alcohol and drugs
Screening carried out where clinically indicated or contractually required.
Disqualifying conditions
The common bars, and why they matter.
The MCA applies the standards in MSN 1954 (Amendment 3). Conditions that commonly bar an unrestricted ENG1 include uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiac disease, insulin-treated diabetes with poor glycaemic control, seizures within the last two years, colour blindness for deck department roles, hearing threshold worse than 30 dB averaged over the speech frequencies, a mental illness episode within the last 12 months, and active substance misuse.
Many of these are not permanent bars. A restricted certificate, a shorter validity, or a successful appeal after treatment is often possible - the doctor will discuss options on the day.
Superyacht crew
Contracts move fast - your ENG1 needs to keep up.
The Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons drive most superyacht hiring, and offers often come with a request to be aboard within days. We prioritise same-week ENG1 slots for signed crew and can add combined flag-state medicals where the vessel is registered under the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Malta or Bermuda.
Bring your Discharge Book or STCW certificates and any prior ENG1 if you have one - it speeds up the paperwork on the day.
Turnaround
Same-day certificate for straightforward candidates.
A straightforward ENG1 is signed and handed over at the end of the appointment. Where a specialist report or follow-up test is needed - a cardiology opinion, an audiogram in a soundproof booth, a sleep study download - the certificate is issued once the evidence is in. If refused, you can appeal to the MCA Medical Assessor at your nearest Marine Office within one month.
Cost
Indicative pricing across the London network.
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ENG1 only
£110-£180
Standard MCA certificate, same visit.
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ENG1 + vision upgrade
£150-£220
Adds lantern colour vision for deck department.
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ENG1 + STCW + flag state
£250-£450
Combined package for superyacht and cruise contracts.
Where to go
MCA-approved doctors in London.
The full list of MCA-approved doctors is maintained on gov.uk. Established London providers include Nightingale Maritime Medicals, Fleet Street Clinic, LondonDoc, Randox Health, InstantMedics, Same Day Doctor and MedRock Maritime. Specialist superyacht medical clinics also operate seasonally out of Antibes and Palma de Mallorca for crew already in the Mediterranean.
Related medicals
Also useful for occupational fitness.
FAQs
What crew ask us most.
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I have colour blindness - can I still get an ENG1 for the deck department?
The MCA colour vision standard for deck officers and lookouts is strict. Ishihara is the first-line test; failures can be repeated using a lantern test (Holmes Wright or similar) at an MCA-approved centre. If the lantern is passed, the ENG1 can still be issued for deck duties. A confirmed colour vision failure usually restricts you to engineering, catering or interior roles - not deck.
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I have sleep apnoea - will I fail my ENG1?
Not automatically. Untreated moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a bar because of daytime somnolence. If you are diagnosed and compliant with CPAP - with a download report showing good usage and residual AHI under 5 - the MCA doctor can usually issue an ENG1, often for one year with review. Bring your CPAP compliance data to the appointment.
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Do I need travel insurance if I have an ENG1?
The ENG1 is a fitness certificate, not insurance. Superyacht and merchant crew contracts almost always require separate crew medical insurance (MLC 2006 obliges the shipowner to cover it). For personal cover in port and while travelling to and from the vessel, arrange your own worldwide policy.
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I wear glasses or contact lenses - is that OK?
Yes. Corrected vision is fine so long as you meet the MCA standard with your correction. You must carry a spare pair on board. Uncorrected vision below the standard is only a bar if it cannot be brought within limits by glasses or contact lenses.
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What happens if I am refused an ENG1?
The MCA-approved doctor issues an ENG3 restriction notice. You can appeal to the MCA Medical Assessor at your nearest Marine Office within one month. Bring specialist reports, treatment summaries and any test results. Many appeals succeed with better documentation - especially for cardiac, diabetes and mental health cases.
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Is the ENG1 the same as a cabin crew or airline medical?
No. Cabin crew on UK carriers usually need a CAA Cabin Crew Attestation, not an ENG1. Pilots need a CAA Class 1 or 2. The ENG1 is specifically for seafarers on UK-flag vessels. Cruise ships under other flags (Bahamas, Bermuda, Malta) usually accept ENG1 or an equivalent STCW medical - check the flag state.
Book your ENG1
Tell us the vessel and the sailing date - we sort the rest.
We match you with an MCA-approved doctor in London, add flag-state and STCW paperwork where the vessel requires it, and hold a same-day slot for signed crew.