Circular No: NP/074/20
TO ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS. Our ref: S6/7 26th March 2020
Dear Colleagues
Seafarers’ ENG1 renewal – Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) update
Further to Circular no. 064/20 of 19th March 2020, following pressure from your Union the MCA has changed and updated its guidance to seafarers on renewing the ENG1 medical certificate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MCA will now consider granting Ratings and Officers over 18 years of age exceptions for up to six months. This includes seafarers holding a time-limited or restricted ENG1, subject to a telephone consultation with an Approved Doctor. The MCA’s new guidance, published earlier today is attached.
If you need to seek an exception, you are advised to seek one from the Approved Doctor that issued the existing ENG1 certificate. If that is not possible then the seafarer should call an MCA Approved Doctor on the list here preferably the one closest to where you live.
Seafarers are advised to check the validity of their ENG1 certificate which must be renewed every two years. Any seafarers encountering problems now in accessing a GP or Approved Doctor to renew their ENG1 should contact the RMT through the usual channels and the MCA by email seafarer.sh@mcga.gov.uk or on the following telephone numbers: 0203 908 5138, 0203 817 2742, 0203 817 2376 or 0203 817 2502
I would be grateful if you would share this with members in your branch or region and I will keep you informed of all further developments.
Yours sincerely
Mick Cash
General Secretary
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: