ADCI Informational Update 2014

What is it?
How does it affect me?
What to do with it?
Employer Impact?
Is there a cost?
Expiration/Exam dates?
Medical Waivers?
Entry Level

What is the Medical Certificate?

The medical certificate is a new document that serves as proof that a mariner meets the required medical and physical standards, per the publication of the Federal Register (FR). This FR incorporates the 2010 Amendments to the STCW Convention into the U.S. regulations. It also makes other necessary changes to our national regulations for the purposes of reorganization, clarification and needed updates.

To qualify for a medical certificate, a mariner must provide evidence of meeting the medical and physical standards on a form CG-719K. In order to renew the medical certificate prior to expiration, mariner's must submit a completed form CG-719K to their local REC.

The medical certificate is the Coast Guard's authorization that a mariner has met the following requirements:

Have the physical capability to fulfill all the requirements of basic training as required by Section A-VI/1 of STCW;
Demonstrate adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively and detect any audible alarms;
Have no medical condition, disorder or impairment that will prevent the effective and safe conduct of the seafarer’s routine and emergency duties;
Are not suffering from any medical condition likely to be aggravated by service at sea or to render the seafarer unfit for service or to endanger the health and safety of other personnel on board;
Are not taking medication that has side effects that will impair judgment, balance or any other requirements for effective and safe performance of routine and emergency duties on board.

How does it affect me?

Mariners holding STCW endorsements:

On 2 January 2014, the Coast Guard began issuing medical certificates to all mariners holding valid international endorsements. The NMC expects to issue 50,000 medical certificates within 90 days. Because of the large number of certificates issued in a relatively short time, the expiration dates on these medical certificates will vary depending upon when the mariner’s MMC expires.

Although First Class Pilots continue to be subject to the annual physical examination requirements of 46 CFR 11.709(b), a new medical certificate will only be issued every two years. Pilots will receive a medical certificate at their next annual medical review.

All Other Mariners, Including Those with National Endorsements:

Beginning 24 January 2014, the Coast Guard will begin issuing medical certificates to each qualified mariner applying for an original, raise-in-grade or renewal MMC.

***Once issued, mariners are required to carry a valid medical certificate in order to sail under the authority of their MMC.***

What do you do with the medical certificate when you receive it?

Use a blue or black ball point pen and sign your certificate as soon as you receive it.
Do not separate the pages of your certificate.
Note your expiration dates; they coincide with the type of service you are engaged in (STCW, National, or Pilot).
We recommend that you keep your certificate in the plastic sleeve at the back of your MMC.
If your certificate indicates that you have a medical waiver, you must comply with the requirements of the accompanying waiver letter. In addition to a valid medical certificate, the waiver letter must be carried with you when you sail under the authority of your MMC. As a result of the waiver, your certificate may also carry a limited expiration date of 1 or 2 years.

After January 1, 2017, a person may not employ or engage an individual on a vessel subject to STCW unless that individual maintains a current medical certificate.

After January 24, 2019, a person may not employ or engage any individual on a national voyage that is required to hold an MMC unless that individual maintains a current medical certificate.

Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Applicability

The MLC entered into force on August 20, 2013. The MLC requires mariners serving on vessels to have a valid MLC medical certificate. The U.S. has not ratified the MLC, however the MLC contains a "no more favorable treatment clause" that requires ratifying governments to impose Convention requirements on all vessels when calling on their ports.

U.S. vessels that cannot demonstrate compliance with the MLC may be at risk of port state control actions, including detention, when operating in the port of a ratifying nation. The new medical certificates meet the medical certification requirements of the MLC.

In the event a vessel is not subject to STCW but is subject to MLC and is calling on a port in a country that has ratified the MLC, the Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to qualified crewmembers upon proper application under reference 46 CFR Part 10, Subpart C.

***If a mariner's medical certificate expires during a voyage, it will remain valid until the next United States port of call, provided that the period after expiration does not exceed 90 days.***

Is there a cost for the medical certificate?

There is no cost for a medical certificate

Normal fees still apply to merchant mariner credential transactions consistent with 46 CFR Table 10.219(a). A medical certificate will not negate nor increase the normal MMC fees.

For current valid STCW holders, because of the large number of certificates issued in a relatively short time, the examination date and expiration dates on these medical certificates will vary depending upon when the mariner’s MMC expires.

For all other mariners, the Coast Guard considers the date of examination to be the date that it approves the issuance of a medical certificate. It will not coincide with the date the medical practitioner signed the form 719K or 719 K/E; nor will it necessarily coincide with the issuance date of the medical certificate or MMC.

Each medical certificate will carry three expiration dates:

Mariners who Sail Under the Authority of an STCW endorsement: The expiration date applicable to a mariner serving onboard vessels to which STCW applies will be for up to 2 years past the date of examination unless the mariner is under the age of 18, in which case the maximum period of validity will be 1 year.
Mariners who Sail as a Pilot: The expiration date applicable to a mariner serving under the authority of an endorsement as first-class pilot or acting as a pilot under another endorsement will be a maximum period of 2 years.
Expiration for National Mariners: Medical certificates issued to national mariners will be issued for a maximum of 5 years.

What about Medical Waivers?

Existing Medical Waivers:

The Coast Guard may grant a waiver if an applicant for a MMC does not possess the vision, hearing, or general physical condition necessary and extenuating circumstances warrant special consideration.

**After 24 January 2014, medical waivers will no longer require a return signature. The limitations/restrictions that result in the issuance of a medical waiver will be listed on the mariner's medical certificate. The mariner will receive a medical waiver via mail outlining the terms and conditions required to meet the standards.**

Time-Restricted Medical Certificates:

Mariners may receive a time-restricted certificate. Those certificates will expire in either one or two years depending on the medical condition, condition status, and the need for periodic medical evaluations. This 1 or 2 year expiration date will apply to all medical certificate categories (i.e. FCP, STCW, and National Certificates). Applicants must comply with the accompanying waiver letter in order to renew their certificate.

More information regarding operational limitations and restrictions on medical certificates can be found at federalregister.gov.

Entry Level Certificate

Individuals that are required to hold only national entry level ratings and meet the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners, will be issued a medical certificate. Medical certificates issued to national mariners holding only entry level ratings will be valid for a maximum of 5 years.

Due to the limited scope of the general medical exam, which is required to complete the 719K/E, the entry level medical certificate will differ from those of mariners that are required to complete the 719K form. It will reflect the following:

Compliance with only 1 expiration date.
No requirements to meet standards for vision, hearing or fitness for lookout duties.

Mariners that submit a CG-719K form with their applications will be issued the full medical certificate.

Per 46 CFR 10.304(b) Food handlers are not required to submit to a general medical exam, but must obtain a statement from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner attesting that they are free of communicable diseases that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

ADCI Informational Update 2014 - 7