Alongside your STCW, no yacht will sign you on without a valid seafarer medical certificate. In the yachting world this usually means the ENG1.
What is the ENG1?
The ENG1 is the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s medical fitness certificate for seafarers. It confirms you’re fit to work at sea — good eyesight, hearing, general health, and no condition that would put you or the crew at risk in an emergency. Many flag states accept it, which is why it’s the yachting standard.
What the exam involves
An approved doctor carries out a straightforward check-up:
- Eyesight and colour vision
- Hearing
- Blood pressure and general physical health
- A short medical history questionnaire
Most people pass without issue, and the appointment takes under an hour.
How often to renew
An ENG1 is normally valid for up to two years (less for under-18s or certain medical conditions). Like every certificate in this industry, the 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.
Getting ready for your first season? Line up your ENG1 at the same time as your STCW Basic Safety Training so you arrive on the docks fully job-ready. Ask us and we can point you to an approved doctor in the Antibes area.