ENG1 Medical: What to Expect on the Day (and How to Prepare)

Know exactly what happens at an ENG1 examination so you turn up prepared and give yourself the best chance of a clean pass.

By Offshore Medicals Near Me · Updated 30 August 2026 · 7 min read

Before the day: how to prepare

• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and go easy on caffeine — both can push up blood pressure and affect blood-sugar and urine results.
• Avoid loud noise for 16 hours beforehand — a noisy shift, a concert or loud headphones can temporarily shift your hearing and skew the audiogram.
• Don’t do strenuous exercise immediately before the appointment.
• If you get "white-coat" high blood pressure, bring a recent normal reading from your GP or a home monitor.
• Wear or bring your glasses. If you normally wear contact lenses, bring your glasses too — the doctor may want to check your uncorrected vision.

What to bring

• Photo ID — passport, photocard driving licence, seaman’s discharge book or national ID card. The MCA no longer accepts other forms of ID.
• Your previous ENG1 certificate if you have held one.
• A list of any medication you take, and details of any hospital admissions, surgery or ongoing conditions since your last medical.
• Any relevant GP or specialist letters — for example if you have asthma, diabetes, a heart condition or a mental-health history that is well managed.
• Comfortable clothing you can move in, in case a Chester Step fitness test is needed.

The examination, step by step

1. Paperwork and medical history

You complete a health questionnaire and the doctor goes through your history — past illnesses, operations, medication, alcohol and drug use, and mental health. Be straight with them; an undisclosed condition that later causes a problem at sea is far worse than one that is assessed properly now.

2. Vision

Distance vision (letter chart), near vision (reading card) and a colour-vision test using Ishihara plates. Corrected vision counts, so wear your glasses or lenses. Deck roles have a stricter colour-vision standard than engine-room roles.

3. Hearing

Usually an audiogram in a quiet room, sometimes a simpler whisper or conversation test. This is why the 16-hour noise rule matters.

4. Measurements and vitals

Height, weight and BMI; blood pressure and pulse; the doctor listens to your heart and lungs and checks your abdomen, joints, reflexes, ears, nose and throat.

5. Urine test

A dipstick check for protein, blood and glucose — a quick screen of kidney function and diabetes risk.

6. Fitness test (only if needed)

If your BMI is over 30, or the doctor has a specific fitness concern, you may be asked to do a Chester Step test — stepping on and off a low step to a set rhythm while your heart rate is monitored.

Eyesight, colour vision and BMI: the common sticking points

• Glasses or lenses are fine as long as your corrected vision meets the standard.
• Colour vision — fail the Ishihara test and you can still often be certified for deck work with a restriction such as "no lookout duties" or "no lookout at night". A specialist CAD test can give a more precise result if you want to challenge it.
• BMI over 35 usually means you cannot be passed until it is addressed, unless the doctor is satisfied it is due to muscle mass and you pass the step test. Expect a realistic timeframe and, if relevant, a referral.

Pass, restricted or unfit

A clean pass means "fit for sea service" with the certificate issued the same day, valid up to two years. A restricted certificate limits certain duties or shortens the validity. "Temporarily unfit" means a fixable issue needs sorting first. A permanent "unfit" outcome is rare and can be appealed to an MCA medical referee.