The medical certificate required by fishers on UK vessels
By the end of November 2023, anyone working on a UK fishing vessel must have a certificate of medical fitness.
Working on the water means you are further away from medical facilities and treatment so need to have a suitable level of health - one of the many reasons the medical certificate is required by international law.
For most fishermen the medical certificate needed is an ML5, a doctor-approved record that shows you are fit enough to work safely at sea.
Julie Carlton, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Head of Seafarer Safety and Health, said:
By getting an ML5 certificate, fishermen have the reassurance that they are medically fit enough to do their work, without causing a risk to themselves or others.
In turn this reduces the risk of falling ill while at sea, and means our search and rescue assets can be sent to other incidents that couldn’t have been predicted.
The work of fishermen is both physically and mentally demanding, so health needs to be put first. This law further accelerates our mission of protecting lives at sea.
Download and print the application form for an ML5 certificate and book an appointment with your GP or a doctor who can conduct the ML5 medical examination.
In many cases, the doctor will be able to complete the report and issue an ML5 certificate there and then.
This will be valid for 5 years, or one year if you are aged over 65.
If you have a medical condition causing increased risk, you can be referred to an MCA medical assessor for further consideration.
For more information and to access a form visit ML5 medical report form and certificate on GOV.UK.