The alternatives and the habits
Governing: ML5 form MSF 4112 REV 01/26 and gov.uk page (9 January 2026); MCA "Seafarers medical certification guidance"; MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7 (13 August 2026). Builds on: L2.1.
The ML5
The ML5 is a lighter medical for work close to shore. The gov.uk guidance and the form list who may use it:
- master of a non-seagoing passenger ship (Class IV or V) or other non-seagoing commercial vessel;
- master and crew of a small commercial vessel certificated for Area Category 2 to 6, no more than 60 miles from a safe haven (gov.uk describes these as under 24 m, carrying no more than 12 passengers);
- crew of domestic seagoing passenger ships (Class VI or VI(A));
- applicants for an RYA commercial endorsement working no more than 60 miles from the UK shore;
- certain fishing vessel crew under 24 m.
| ENG1 | ML5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who examines | MCA Approved Doctor | Any doctor GMC-registered and licensed in the UK |
| Fee | Set in regulation (see L1.2) | Not regulated; ask first |
| Validity | 2 years (1 under 18) | 5 years or to 65th birthday, whichever sooner; 1 year over 65 |
| If anything is flagged | Doctor decides, may seek MCA advice | Referred to an MCA ML5 Medical Assessor; no face-to-face appointment |
| Standards | MSN 1886 Annex A | Same MSN 1886 standards |
If every question on the form is answered "No", the doctor can issue the ML5 certificate on the day. If anything is flagged, the report goes to an ML5 Medical Assessor, who has 10 working days to decide and may add restrictions.
CAUTION — One-way substitution An ENG1 is always acceptable in place of an ML5. An ML5 is never acceptable in place of an ENG1. Crew abroad without a UK GMC-registered doctor are advised to get an ENG1 or recognised equivalent instead.
Form revisions
The current form is MSF 4112 REV 01/26 (gov.uk page updated 9 January 2026). REV 02/23 remains accepted for new referrals up to and including 31 December 2026. Certificates issued on the old revision on or before that date stay valid until expiry or a change in medical history, whichever is sooner.
Foreign equivalents
Seafarers and fishers on UK vessels can hold a national certificate that the MCA has assessed as equivalent to the ENG1. The countries are those in Annex 1 of MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7 (13 August 2026), which replaced Amendment 6 and added Switzerland. They include, among others, Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, South Africa and Switzerland. Some carry conditions: a Maltese certificate counts only if the examination took place in Malta by a Malta Medical Council licensed practitioner, and a Bermudan certificate only if issued by a doctor nominated by Carnival Corporation & plc. It then stays valid until expiry even if you move to another company's ship.
Norway and the Netherlands have approved doctors abroad, so their certificates are obtainable in places without an MCA approved doctor. The result is a Norwegian or Dutch certificate, not an ENG1.
Yacht crew practicalities
- Private yachts are outside the Regulations, but the job market is not. Expect to be asked for an ENG1 or equivalent regardless of flag or use.
- Other flags decide what they accept. Check the flag's list before relying on an equivalent.
- Diary the expiry alongside your STCW refresher dates (see Keeping Your CoC Valid).
- Declare medication to the captain and hold a reserve stock, as MSN 1886 advises.
- Occasional workers under REG Yacht Code Annex E2 need no seafarer medical, but must have no emergency duties and be medically fit.
- Colour vision first if you want a deck career.
TIP — The crew file A good chief stew or first officer keeps a table of every crew member's ENG1 expiry, restrictions noted and medication declared. It takes ten minutes a month and prevents a flag inspection finding.