MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF SEAFARERS ON BEHALF OF THE DUTCH FLAG AT THE MEDICAL CENTRE “VIVA VITA”

 

Obligation to have a medical certificate

Anyone who signs on in maritime service must have a medical certificate. This at any rate includes crewmembers who are listed in the Safe Manning Document. Seafarers who sign on voluntarily or at the request of the shipping company, captain or for insurance purposes must also be able to provide a valid medical certificate. Moreover, a valid medical certificate is necessary to apply for a certificate of competency.

 

Medical examiners

Only doctors who have been appointed by the Dutch Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management can perform medical examinations on behalf of the Dutch Flag. Doctor Anatoliy Anikeenko has been appointed for the medical examinations on behalf of the Dutch Flag. The medical examiner may not be the seafarer’s own attending physician!

 

What to take to the medical examination

  • ID or passport.
  • Seaman’s book.
  • The current medical certificate.
  • If a candidate wears glasses or contact lenses: bring spare glasses.

 

Checking and registration

Prior to the medical examination, the doctor will check the previous approvals and rejections. This with the purpose of avoiding doctor shopping. At the end of the examination, the new results will be electronically recorded.

Medical fitness requirements

The examination is carried out on the basis of the seafarer medical fitness requirements “Medical Examinations of Seafarers 2012”. Which is based on the ILO/IMO guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers.

 

What does the medical examination entail

  •  A questionnaire and interview which will not only cover the current complaints but also earlier incidents of ill health and accidents.
  •  A general physical examination.
  • Tests of blood and urine.
  • x-ray of the chest.
  • Test to establish near and distance visual acuity, possibly with the aid of glasses (and spare glasses), eye movement, field of vision and colour vision.
  • Inspection of the ear canal and the eardrum.
  • Test to establish auditory acuity with an audiogram and, on occasion, a conversation test.

In the event further information is required for the assessment, an additional examination of blood or stools may take place. Consultation with the attending physician or specialist may be required from time to time.

 

Tuberculosis test

In principle, a lung photo or Mantoux test is obligatory for everyone unless candidates sail in restricted areas and do not moreover come from areas with a risk of tuberculosis. At the Medical Centre “Viva Vita” the X-ray test will be performed. The medical certificate will, however, state that the sailing area is restricted to North and West Europe and the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Approval

A candidate will be approved if he/she meets the medical requirements. This means that no condition has been discovered that would hinder a safe performance of the activities, that he/she is deemed to act effectively at all times, also in the event of an emergency, and that his/her presence on board does not represent a threat to the health of the other crew and passengers. Medical certificates are valid for a maximum of two years.

 

Rejection and re-examination

Seafarers may be temporarily or permanently rejected. If the rejection is temporary, the examiner anticipates that, following treatment, the candidate will be able to return to work within three years. The same medical examiner may re-examine the candidate. Approval by a different medical examiner is invalid. A permanent rejection means that it is improbable that a candidate will return to work. Following a permanent rejection, candidates may only request a referee for re-examination.

Referee

In the event there is a conflict of opinion on the results of the medical examination, seafarers may request a re-examination through KLM Health Services, phone: +31(0)20-6490372. The re-examination will be carried out by an appointed referee, a doctor who was not involved in the first examination. The referee may carry out the re-examination in person or engage a specialist.