Medical Fitness of Crew Members for Work on Fishing Vessels

Prolonged presence at sea, irregular working hours, and challenging conditions make fishing one of the most demanding offshore professions. Work often takes place at night and over extended periods of time, which further exhausts the body and increases the need for medical and physical readiness. Accordingly, individuals embarking as crew members on fishing vessels must be medically fit to cope with such challenges.

Regular medical examinations and possession of a valid medical fitness certificate are not a mere formality but a key mechanism for safeguarding life. The lack of such controls can lead to tragic consequences, especially when health risks are present.

Personal responsibility of each individual for their own health condition is of utmost importance, but at the same time, vessel owners and captains also play a significant role, as they should ensure that all crew members meet the legal and medical requirements for performing duties at sea.

In this sense, safety at sea begins ashore – through timely medical checks and responsible employment.

Recipients: This safety lesson is intended for all crew members on fishing vessels, the owners of such vessels, and officials authorized to supervise the professional and medical fitness of ship crew members.