ENG1 basics

What Is an ENG1 Medical? The Complete 2026 Guide for Seafarers

The ENG1 is the medical fitness certificate you need to work at sea on a UK-registered ship. Here is exactly what it involves, who needs it and how to get one.

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

Key facts

An ENG1 is the UK seafarer medical fitness certificate, issued under the authority of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It is required under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006); the medical standards are set out in MCA Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1886.
Only an MCA-approved doctor can carry out an ENG1 — a standard GP cannot unless they are on the MCA approved list.
A standard ENG1 is valid for up to 2 years, or 1 year for applicants aged 16 to 18.
The examination takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is non-invasive.
The maximum fee for a standard ENG1 examination is £115, set by the MCA.
It checks vision and colour vision, hearing, blood pressure, heart and lungs, BMI, kidney and blood-sugar screening, and general physical fitness.

In short An ENG1 is a fitness-for-sea medical carried out by a doctor approved by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Almost everyone working on a UK-flagged seagoing vessel needs a valid one. It checks eyesight, hearing, blood pressure, heart and lung health, BMI and general fitness, takes 30–45 minutes, is valid for up to two years, and the examination fee is capped at £115.

What the ENG1 certificate is

ENG1 is the name of the form the MCA issues to confirm a seafarer is medically fit to work on a ship. It exists because of the international Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and the UK's Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations. Under those rules, no one may work as a seafarer on a UK seagoing ship without a valid medical certificate.

The medical standards the doctor works to are set out in the MCA's Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1886. Only doctors on the MCA's approved list can carry out the examination and issue an ENG1 — your own GP cannot do it unless they happen to be MCA-approved.

Who needs an ENG1

Merchant navy officers and ratings on UK-registered ships.
Superyacht and large-yacht crew — deckhands, stewards, engineers, chefs, captains.
Cruise ship staff on UK-flagged vessels, including hospitality and entertainment roles.
Trainees and cadets starting an STCW course or a cadetship — you usually need the ENG1 before you can begin.
Commercial sailing instructors and delivery skippers working outside inshore limits.

If you only work on small commercial vessels close to shore you may be able to use the lighter ML5 medical instead — see our guide to ENG1 vs ML5 vs OEUK medicals.

What the doctor checks

The ENG1 is non-invasive. A standard examination covers:

Vision — distance and near vision, and a colour-vision (Ishihara) test. Corrected vision with glasses or contacts is fine as long as it meets the standard.
Hearing — usually an audiogram or a whisper/conversation test.
Blood pressure and pulse, plus listening to your heart and lungs.
Height, weight and BMI. A BMI over 30 can trigger a Chester Step fitness test; over 35 often means a referral before a certificate can be issued.
Urine sample to screen kidney function and blood-sugar levels.
General physical examination — mobility, joints, reflexes, ears, nose and throat.
Medical history — past illnesses, surgery, medication and mental-health history.

For a full walkthrough, read ENG1 medical: what to expect on the day.

Pass, fail or restricted

Most people are passed fit for sea service without restriction and are handed the certificate the same day. Other outcomes are:

Fit with restrictions — for example "not fit for lookout duties" if colour vision is limited, or a shorter certificate validity.
Temporarily unfit — a treatable issue (blood pressure, an infection) that needs sorting before re-assessment.
Permanently unfit — rare, and you can appeal to an MCA medical referee.

How long an ENG1 lasts

Up to two years for adults, or one year if you are aged 16–18. A restricted certificate may be issued for a shorter period. Renew before it expires — you cannot legally sail on an out-of-date ENG1.

What it costs

The maximum an MCA-approved doctor can charge for a standard ENG1 is £115, set by the MCA. If your employer sends you, they normally pay. Extra tests such as a Chester Step assessment or a drug-and-alcohol screen can carry an additional fee. See how much an ENG1 medical costs.

How to book an ENG1 medical

You need an appointment with an MCA-approved doctor. Rather than phoning round individual clinics, you can compare approved doctors near you and see their real, live appointment availability in one place, then book online.

See live ENG1 appointment availability near you Enter your postcode and compare real, live appointment times at MCA-approved clinics — book online in a couple of minutes. Find a clinic →

Frequently asked questions

Can my GP do my ENG1?

Only if your GP is on the MCA approved-doctor list. Most GPs are not, so you will normally need to book with an approved seafarer-medical clinic.

How long does the appointment take?

A standard ENG1 takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Allow longer if you may need a Chester Step fitness test.

Do I get the certificate straight away?

If you are passed fit without restriction, the doctor usually prints and signs the ENG1 at the end of the appointment.

What do I bring?

Photo ID (passport, driving licence, seaman’s discharge book or national ID card), your previous ENG1 if you have one, your glasses or lenses, and details of any medication or medical conditions.

Is the ENG1 the same as an STCW medical?

Yes — "STCW medical", "seafarer medical" and "MCA medical" all commonly refer to the ENG1.