What Happens in a Seafarer Medical Examination?
Employers may require various pre-employment exams to be passed before you board.
Depending on your home country, you may have national medical standards for conducting medical fitness exams for seafarers.
The primary goal of these protocols is still to maintain seafarers’ safety at sea in their duties’ performance, safeguarding their health, the health of their fellow crew members, and the health of passengers on board.
The examinations are rigorous. Before starting the PEME proper, seafarers must pass a specific medical test (or tests) required by a foreign principal or manning agency.
Then, there’s the actual PEME. You’ll typically undergo the following tests:
Eye examination
Determining the condition of your eyesight is very important in the maritime industry. Your work requires you to read instructions, retain clear visibility for an inspection, and write in a watch log book, and that’s just the basics.
2. Physical examination
You may have undergone significant surgery or suffered severe wounds that may have left permanent bodily marks.
A physical exam will determine whether you have done any procedures or suffered from significant injuries that may exempt you from performing strenuous labor or remaining on board ship, as ships occasionally experience inclement weather. This test is crucial for all sailors to keep them safe at work.
3. Infectious or Transferable Diseases
You’ll be working on foreign seas, so, understandably, no manning agent or ship owner would want a contaminated seafarer. Imagine the political uproar!
Also, you’ll be putting your healthy crewmates at risk. And when the crew is sick, the higher the chances the ship’s upkeep and operations will be jeopardized.
Any illnesses that may be contagious will be ruled out during the examination.
Your blood and urine will be taken for this test to check for any diseases or irregularities, such as:
Seizures or epilepsy
Paralysis
Hypertension
Heart disease
Tumor
Diabetes
Thyroid problems
A hematologic condition (anemia, leukemia, hemophilia, etc.)
Hepatitis
HIV
4. Hearing Test
Onboard, you work with your eyes, nose, and ears.
The ears won’t just be for listening to conversations; they can also help you hear the noises of your equipment.
An audiometry or hearing test ensures you don’t have any ear issues that could result in improper hearing or errors caused by order miss-hearing.
A pregnancy test may also be required for female seafarers during the examination.
Pregnancy is never a disciplinary offense. However, there are risks to both the mother’s and child’s health. Therefore, your manning agency will assess your assignment and situation carefully.
There are particular instances when your principals, manning agents, or even the country you’re about to enter will require additional examinations. Just comply with them—your health is your employer’s priority.
Making sure you are “fit to work”
Every seafarer must undergo a pre-employment medical test to demonstrate their physical and mental fitness if they wish to board a ship.
Your chances of being “fit to work” without consequences will increase if you pay attention to the following before PEME:
1. Have a restful night’s sleep
You can maintain lower blood pressure by getting at least eight hours of sleep the night before your exam.
2. Eat healthily
Make a seven-day diet commitment that includes fewer sweets and more fruits and veggies. Don’t skip breakfast.
3. Avoid coffee or alcohol
Avoid drinking beer or caffeine hours before the exam because they can promote hypertension.
4. Hydrate
To help your body eliminate the poisons, you have absorbed, drink more water in the days leading up to PEME.
5. Don’t exercise on the day of your exam
Although exercise makes you feel better, you should avoid it before a medical check since it can raise your heart rate and lower your potassium levels.
To summarize
The pre-employment medical examination may be an added step, but it is vital.
It ensures your well-being and safety onboard. And when everybody’s healthy, you can guarantee a life at sea that is safe, enjoyable, and productive.
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