ENG1 MEDICAL COSTS — EXTRA TEST CHARGES

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/193/25

6^th November 2025

 

To: ALL MARITIME MEMBERS

 

 

Dear Colleague

 

ENG1 MEDICAL COSTS — EXTRA TEST CHARGES  

 

Your Southampton Shipping branch submitted the following resolution:

 

This Southampton Shipping Branch notes that Seafarers employed on ships must have a seafarer medical fitness certificate, which in the UK is an ENG1.  

 

The certificate confirms that they are medically fit to work on sea-going ships, and they do not have a medical condition that could be a danger to other crew, passengers or the vessel. 

 

We further note that the current fee (as of 23/09/25) for an ENG1 medical examination is set by the MCA at £115, but that extra costs may be incurred for additional tests, including but not inclusive of a Chester step test.  The MCA approved doctor may charge more for these extra tests, which may vary as conditions of employment, varying from employer to employer, but these extra charges vary from approved doctor to approved doctor and are not a set rate charge in the way a basic ENG1 is. 

 

This branch there for resolves to request that the NEC instruct the general secretary to:

 

1.   Compile a table to compare the charges with the various doctors on the MCA approved list

 

2.   Use the data compiled to write to the MCA giving examples of variations of charges 

 

3.   Encourage the MCA to ensure that there is one set charge and that the practice of charge variations is abolished

 

4.   In the period up to any abolition of variations of charges, that the data compiled be published for the use of any maritime members who may incur ENG1 charges.

 

At its meeting on 21^st October 2025, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its health and safety subcommittee:

 

We note the resolution of file from our Southampton Shipping Branch, for which it is thanked.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to engage with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Medical Administration & Policy manager on this matter.

 

The General Secretary is further instructed to compile a list of concerns identified by our membership regarding ENG1charges and to design a small publication on ENG1s for members.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Eddie Dempsey

General Secretary