Based on DG Shipping rules & STCW standards
Medical & Eyesight Examination Guide
The starting point
Why is the medical test compulsory?
Legal Requirement
DG Shipping (Government of India) makes medical fitness compulsory for every seafarer. Without a valid medical certificate from a DG approved doctor, you cannot join any ship or get CDC / Certificate of Competency.
Your Safety at Sea
Ships are far from hospitals. Any serious health problem can put your life and the whole crew in danger. Good health and clear eyesight keep you, your shipmates and the vessel safe.
Detailed guidance and discussion on medical fitness is given during Study Class Sessions.
What is expected of you
General medical requirements.
Physically & Mentally Fit
You must be strong enough and mentally stable for sea life.
No Disease that Worsens at Sea
Any condition that can become serious far from medical help is not allowed.
Good Overall Health & Stamina
You need energy for long watches, physical work and emergencies.
No Communicable Diseases
Diseases that can spread to other crew members are not permitted.
No History of Fits / Seizures
Any history of unconsciousness or epilepsy is usually a serious problem.
No Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Diabetes controlled only by insulin is generally not accepted.
Step by step
What actually happens at the medical.
- 1
Pre-Check
Height, Weight, BP, Pulse
- 2
General Physical
Full body check head to toe
- 3
Vision & Colour
Distant, Near + Ishihara test
- 4
ENT Check
Ear, Nose, Throat examination
- 5
Chest & Lungs
Respiratory check + X-Ray
- 6
Abdomen
Hernia & organ examination
- 7
Lab Tests
Urine, Blood, ECG etc.
- 8
Final Decision
Fit / Temp Unfit / Permanently Unfit
Often misunderstood
Height, Weight & BMI — the official position
Important clarification
Height, Weight and Blood Pressure are part of the mandatory physical examination as per DG Shipping guidelines. There is no fixed public numerical cut-off published in official DG Shipping notices or the IMU CET brochure.
| Parameter | Commonly referred benchmark |
|---|---|
| Minimum Height | Around 157 cm (slight relaxation possible for candidates from hilly / North-East / island regions) |
| Minimum Weight | Around 48 kg (proportionate to height) |
| BMI | Ideal range often taken as 18.5 – 25; higher BMI may lead to additional cardiac assessment |
These are practical benchmarks commonly referred by examiners. The final decision always rests with the DG approved Medical Examiner based on overall functional fitness.
STCW Table B-I/9
STCW physical ability guidelines (Table B-I/9)
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping, by the IMO) does not give fixed height or weight numbers. It gives functional abilities the medical examiner should check:
| Shipboard task | Related physical ability |
|---|---|
| Routine movement around vessel | Maintain balance, climb vertical ladders & stairways, step over high coamings |
| Use of tools & stores | Strength & stamina to lift, pull and carry a reasonable load |
| Working in confined spaces | Ability to move through restricted openings (approx. 600 mm × 600 mm) |
| Standing long watches | Stand and walk for extended periods, remain alert |
| Emergency duties | Don lifejacket / immersion suit, take part in fire-fighting & evacuation |
Detailed guidance and discussion on medical fitness is given during Study Class Sessions.
The most asked question
Eyesight standards without glasses.
| Parameter | Deck Department | Engine Department |
|---|---|---|
| Distant Vision | 6/6 in better eye AND 6/9 in other eye | 6/12 in each eye OR 6/9 better + 6/18 other |
| Near Vision | Must be able to read near vision charts | Must be able to read near vision charts |
| Spectacles | NOT allowed (must meet unaided standard) | Allowed (within acceptable limits) |
| Contact Lenses | NOT allowed | Allowed (with company approval) |
| Lasik / Eye Surgery | Case-by-case (see below) | Usually accepted if vision is stable |
Always confirm the latest standards with a DG Shipping approved medical examiner.
Deck vs Engine — the key differences
| Point | Deck (Navigation) | Engine (Machinery) |
|---|---|---|
| Eyesight (Distant) | Stricter — 6/6 & 6/9 unaided | Slightly relaxed — 6/12 or 6/9 + 6/18 |
| Colour Vision | Must be perfect (Normal) | Normal required (mild cases may be reviewed) |
| Spectacles | Not allowed for pre-sea | Allowed |
| Contact Lenses | Not allowed | Allowed with approval |
| Main Focus | Safe navigation & lookout | Machinery operation & safety |
Lasik, SMILE, PRK & Contoura
Eye surgery is not a disqualification.
Waiting Period
Minimum 6 months gap between surgery and the medical examination so that vision becomes stable.
Vision Must Meet Standards
After surgery, your eyesight must still satisfy the Deck or Engine standards (especially unaided vision for Deck).
No Complications
No glare, halos, night vision problems, dry eyes or other lasting side effects that affect safety.
Proper Documents
Bring full reports from your eye surgeon / ophthalmologist showing surgery details and current status.
Ishihara test
Colour vision rules
Deck Department
Normal Colour Vision is MANDATORY
You must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test. Any degree of colour blindness is not accepted for Deck roles, because correct identification of red and green lights is critical for safety.
Engine Department
Normal Colour Vision Required
Official rules also require normal colour vision via the Ishihara chart. In practice, mild deficiency may sometimes be reviewed for Engine roles. Always confirm with an approved doctor.
Detailed guidance and discussion on medical fitness is given during Study Class Sessions.
Assessed by the examiner
Conditions that may lead to unfitness
These are assessed by the DG approved Medical Examiner. Some can be temporary and treatable, some are more serious:
- Poor distant or near eyesight (below standard)
- Colour blindness (especially for Deck)
- Hearing loss beyond acceptable limits
- History of epilepsy, fits or seizures
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Heart disease or significant cardiac issues
- Active tuberculosis or major lung disease
- Unoperated hernia, kidney stones
- Significant psychiatric illness
- Major musculoskeletal deformity affecting duties
- Any condition that can become serious far from medical help
Clear the confusion
Common myths vs facts
I have colour blindness, so I cannot join the Merchant Navy at all.
Deck is generally closed, but the Engine department may still be possible after proper medical assessment.
I wear glasses, so I can never become a sailor.
The Engine department allows spectacles within limits. Deck requires unaided vision.
I had Lasik surgery, so I am automatically fit.
Not automatic. Vision must be stable, meet standards, and have no complications. A waiting period applies.
Once declared unfit, I can never become fit.
Some conditions can be treated. Re-medical is possible after recovery (Temporary Unfitness).
Being slightly overweight means automatic rejection.
There is no fixed public BMI cut-off. The doctor assesses overall functional fitness.
Who decides
Final decision & important advice.
- Eyesight is the most asked query — prepare it carefully.
- Medical fitness is assessed on functional ability + official rules.
- Always refer to the latest DG Shipping circulars and get examined by an approved doctor.
Exact medical and academic standards are set by DG Shipping, by the Indian Maritime University and by individual shipping companies — and they are revised. Treat the figures above as a planning guide, get your eyesight and colour vision tested before you commit money to any course, and verify current rules at dgshipping.gov.in.
Detailed guidance and discussion on medical fitness is given during Study Class Sessions.