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RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence Holders (such as Advanced powerboat CoC and Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore and Ocean CoC) are required to hold an in-date medical certificate in order to commercially endorse their CoC. Not to be confused with your First Aid certificate, this is a personal medical fitness exam carried out by a doctor.

There are essentially two choices of medical in the UK (although there are some other options detailed later in this article). The standard medical is the ENG1, it is carried out by an MCA approved doctor; it cost £80 and is usually valid for 2 years from the date of your medical exam. An alternative for RYA CoC holders is the ML5. The ML5 can be carried out by any GP, for whatever price they agree with you. Not only is it therefore easier to have done but it also lasts for 5 years from the date of the exam. It does, however, carry some limitations; firstly, it is only intended for use on craft less than 24m length and fewer than 200 gross registered tonnes. It is also only for use in cat 2-6 waters (i.e. for seafarers operating up to 60 miles from safe haven). As soon as you step outside of these boundaries the ENG1 kicks in.

There are three medicals that an be used as a substitute for an ML5, they are the HSE Diver’s Medical Fitness Certificate, the CAA Commercial Pilots License medical and the DVLA Group 2 Drivers License (HGV) Medical. Clearly if you hold one of these already then there is no need to obtain an ML5.

As a final note, there are exceptions to the above and in certain cases the doctor will deem that your fitness level may require some kind of restriction. This could be as simple as requiring an annual exam for the ENG1 (instead of 2 yearly) or more restrictive such as not being able to carry out night watch duties.

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