Alongside your STCW, no yacht will sign you on without a valid seafarer medical certificate. In the yachting world this usually means the ENG1. Here’s everything a new or returning crew member needs to know — what it is, what the exam covers, the eyesight standard, the cost, how long it lasts, and which equivalents are accepted.
What is the ENG1?
The ENG1 is the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) medical fitness certificate for seafarers. It confirms you’re fit to work at sea — adequate eyesight and hearing, sound general health, and no condition that would put you or the crew at risk in an emergency. Because it’s trusted by owners, captains and many flag states, it has become the default standard across the superyacht industry.
In plain terms: it’s the document that says a doctor has checked you over and you’re fit to sail.
What does the ENG1 exam involve?
An MCA-approved doctor carries out a straightforward check-up. Expect:
- Eyesight — distance vision and colour vision
- Hearing — a basic test, sometimes with an audiogram
- Blood pressure and general cardiovascular check
- Height, weight and BMI
- Urine test (for sugar and protein)
- A short medical history questionnaire
Most people pass without any issue, and the appointment takes under an hour. There’s no need to prepare beyond bringing ID, your glasses or contacts if you wear them, and any relevant medical information.
The ENG1 eyesight requirements
Vision is the part crew ask about most. The MCA standard is designed to make sure you can stand a navigational watch and react in an emergency:
- Deck crew must meet a higher distance-vision standard (aided or unaided) and pass colour vision — important for reading navigation lights.
- Interior and some engineering roles have slightly more flexible standards, as colour vision is less safety-critical.
- Glasses and contact lenses are fine — you’re tested with the correction you’ll actually wear on board, and you may be asked to carry a spare pair.
If you’re unsure whether your eyesight qualifies for a deck role, the doctor can tell you at the exam — it’s better to know before you invest in training.
How much does an ENG1 cost?
The ENG1 is paid privately and the price is set by each approved doctor, so it varies by country. As a rough guide it typically runs €130–€200 (about £110–£160) in Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s a small, one-off cost compared with a season’s earnings — and non-negotiable, since no boat will take you without it.
How long is the ENG1 valid?
An ENG1 is normally valid for up to two years (shorter for under-18s, or where a doctor notes a condition to review sooner). Like every certificate in this industry, the real danger is letting it lapse — an expired medical means you can’t legally work, even if you’re perfectly healthy.
No valid ENG1, no contract. Book the renewal before it runs out, not after.
ENG1 equivalents — what else is accepted?
The ENG1 is the yachting standard, but it isn’t the only accepted seafarer medical. Depending on the vessel’s flag and the captain’s preference, you may also see:
- ENG1-equivalent certificates issued under the STCW / MLC 2006 framework by other flag administrations — many countries issue their own “fit to sea service” medical to the same international standard.
- Fit to sail certificates from doctors approved by other maritime authorities (for example other EU flag states).
If in doubt, ask the boat or agency which medical they require before you book — the ENG1 is the safest default because it’s so widely recognised, but an equivalent to the same STCW standard is often accepted.
Where can I get an ENG1?
You need an approved doctor — you can’t get an ENG1 from just any GP. Approved practitioners are found in the main crew hubs: Antibes and the French Riviera, Palma, Barcelona, the UK, and increasingly across the recruiting world (Cape Town, Southeast Asia, the Gulf). Slots fill up fast right before the season, so book early.
Getting ready for your first season on the Riviera? Line up your ENG1 at the same time as your STCW Basic Safety Training so you arrive on the docks fully job-ready — see the full yacht crew certificates checklist for everything else you’ll need. Ask us and we can point you to an approved doctor in the Antibes area.