Health requirements for application for Certificate for Deck Officer Class 5 Pleasure Craft and Certificate for Master Fisherman Class C

Legislation

The requirements are taken from the Regulations on qualifications and certificates for sesafarers.

Medical certificate requirement

Anyone applying for a Master's Certificate for Pleasure Craft must present a valid medical certificate complying with the requirements described below.

The medical certificate can be issued by a general practicioner or an approved seafarer's doctor.

Vision requirements

The required eyesight shall be at least 0.5 with both eyes tested simultaneously.

Where optical correction is necessary to achieve this vision, the candidate is required to use such correction during service as master.

If vision in one eye is less than 0.05, vision in the other eye must be at least 0.6, if necessary with optical correction.

The field of vision must be normal in at least one eye.

Colour vision requirements

Normal colour vision, examined with Ishihara charts or equivalent tests.

Hearing requirements

There shall be no loss of hearing greater than 40 dB at the frequencies 500–2000 Hz and 60 dB at 3000–4000 Hz.

Alternatively, the hearing requirements are considered to be met if the applicant can hear normal talking voice from a 4 metre distance with or without hearing aid.

Health requirements in general

Following a specific assessment of each individual case, the issue of a Master's Certificate for Pleasure Craft may be refused in the event of illness or other health failure if the state of health involves increased risk to the safety of the applicant or other persons.

There is a dedicated form for medical certificate for operators of recreational craft. 

You can also use a medical certificate for employees on ships issued by an approved seafarer's doctor.

If the normal colour vision requirements are not met, a restricted Master's Certificate for Pleasure Craft may be issued. You can read more in the Circular Colour vision requirements for certification of Deck Officer Class 5 Pleasure Craft.