Marine Minister, Pat the Cope Gallagher today announced that the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2005 (Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 701 of 2005) which he recently signed into law are now operative.
These Regulations which replace the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examinations) Regulations 1984 have been revised to reflect the Guidelines set down by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1997. They also take cognisance of improvements in the treatment of certain diseases, which now enable seafarers to perform their duties effectively and safely.
After a comprehensive review of the current medical regulations new detailed standards have been developed which are outlined in Marine Notice No. 30 of 2005 and are also available on the Department’s website http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Marine
These enhanced medical examination regulations for seafarers: -
- Establish a scheme of approved medical practitioners to undertake medical examinations of seafarers.
- Address whether the seafarer meets statutory standards and is fit for being employed at sea;
- Identify medical conditions that may cause risk to the seafarer and others on board vessels;
- Permit the issue appropriate certification of fitness/unfitness;
The revised medical standards provide for an updated and more comprehensive medical assessment with improvements in the standards relating to certain conditions including cardiac and insulin dependent diabetics. The revised medical assessment covers eyesight testing (including colour vision screening) with the benefit of the latest equipment available. Detailed audiometric testing has also been introduced. Individual physical fitness testing is being introduced to tackle obesity issues among seafarers.
A panel of Approved Doctors has been selected to carry out the new medical assessments of seafarers. There is now widespread coverage throughout the country with the emphasis on coastal counties. Two medical referees have been appointed to handle appeals.
The Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness. The medical examination and certification of seafarers is part of this overall safety regime.
“Ensuring that our seafarers are fit to carry out their duties, which during adverse weather conditions, can at times be arduous, is an important complementary measure to ensure a higher level of safety at sea”, said the Minister.
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