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Supervision of seafarer's doctors

As part of its system control, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) must follow up entities that carry out tasks on behalf of the NMA. Among these are the seafarer's doctors. The NMA is also obliged by the STCW convention to follow up seafarer's doctors, and supervision is one way of fulfilling this obligation. The NMA has supervisory responsibility towards approved seafarers' doctors, and aims to carry out 5-10 supervisions annually.

  • Supervisions are normally carried out at the seafarer's doctor's office, but can also be carried out as video meetings or equivalent.

    From the Norwegian Maritime Authority, there will be two representatives, one of whom is the supervisor, and the other is the auditor. In addition, an professional expert from the Norwegian Centre of Maritime Medicine and Diving Medicine will participate. These form a so-called supervisory team.

    The seafarer's doctor has the opportunity to bring other staff from the doctor's office if desired. Other staff will have the role of observer.

    • Ensuring that the seafarer's doctor perform his/her duties in compliance with relevant regulations
    • Revealing incorrect practice
    • Contributing to continuous improvement of the system - for the seafarer's doctor and the NMA
    • Increase safety on NOR/NIS-registered vessels

  • No, there is no report of concern, complaint or other special reason for the supervision; it is of a purely routine nature and is part of the Norwegian Maritime Authority's follow-up of seafarers' doctors.

    • Act of 10 February 1967 No. 00 relating to procedure in cases concerning the public administration with subsequent amendments (the Public Administration Act)
    • Regulations of 5 June 2014 No. 805 on medical examination of employees on
      Norwegian ships and mobile offshore units (the Health Regulations)
    • Guidance to the Health Regulations
    • The seafarer's doctor's documentation (procedures, etc.)

    Other supervisory criteria may be:

    • RSV 11-2021 Quality system for seafarers' doctors
    • Self-declaration - for seafarer's doctors

    • Nonconformities: Lack of fulfillent of requirements. Corrective action is required.
    • Remarks: Lack of fulfilment of requirements where system is in place, but nonconformity still is found. Corrective action is required.
    • Improval potensial: Observation that reveals improvement opportunities.
    • Good practice: Smart way to work.

    • Case management (in compliance with relevant regulations/supervisory criteria)
    • Performing medical assessment during medical examinations
    • Quality system

  • When the supervision is completed, you will receive an audit report. Any nonconformities that are revealed will be listed in the report with a deadline for closure.

    If the supervision reveals nonconformities that are incomatible with the requirements to be approved as a seafarer's doctor, and which cannot be rectified and closed within reasonable time, the NMA will assess whether the seafarer's doctor's approval should be withdrawn. Examples of such nonconformities are lack of authorization as a medical practitioner, failure to complete a course in maritime medicine, failure to implement a quality system, case management inconsistent with the Health Regulations and the Public Administration Act, and insufficient knowledge of relevant regulations.

    Less serious nonconformities will usually be rectified by the seafarer's doctor with corrective measures.