Medical and eyesight requirements for seafarers

On this page:

Ring-fenced certificates

National certificates

STCW or STCW-F certificates

Get help

Requirements for ring-fenced certificates

If you’re one of the seafarers who ring-fenced their ticket(s), you will also need a medical certificate to keep working. The medical certificate will be due two years from the date your verification card was issued.

When it’s time, here’s what you need to do:

2. Take a photo ID, information on the tickets you hold and print the certificate below.

3. Ask your GP to conduct a medical examination and complete the certificate.

Information on what is covered in a medical is set out in these guidelines.

4. The GP will assign you a medical category. You need an A, A(T) or B to continue using your ticket.

5. Keep the medical certificate. You need a copy with you when you are working on a ship as evidence of your fitness and any conditions.

It’s that simple

Requirements for national certificates

To apply for or renew a national certificate of competency or proficiency, you need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards. For national certificates any GP can conduct a medical examination.

Print out this certificate to take along to the GP:

Information on what is covered in a medical is set out in this guidance document:

Looking for a GP

The medical examination for any national certificate may be conducted by any New Zealand registered GP.

Search the list of registered doctors on the Medical Council of New Zealand website:

Find an optometrist

If you are applying for a new Deck certificate then you’ll need to have an eyesight and colour vision test conducted by a registered optometrist.

If you require an eyesight test by a registered optometrist, search the Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Board’s online register.

You can search the register for optometrists by name or location:

Requirements for STCW or STCW-F certificates

To apply for or renew an STCW or STCW-F certificate of competency or proficiency, you need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standards. For an STCW or STCW-F certificate the medical examination must be conducted by an approved medical practitioner.

Looking for an approved Medical Practitioner?

Approved GPs 

There is a particular form used:

Get help

For more information, contact the Seafarer Certification team:

Phone:

New Zealand (toll free):
0508 225 522

Calling from outside New Zealand:
+64 4 473 0111

Email:

seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz

Post:

Seafarer Certification
Maritime New Zealand
PO Box 25620
Wellington 6140