Getting help
Governing: MGN 623 (M+F) Telemedical Advice Service (December 2019); MSN 1905 Amendment 5, Annex 6; REG Yacht Code Annex J7 and J9; Table A-VI/4-1 'radio medical advice'.
The UK service
MGN 623 (which replaced MGN 225) is short and practical:
- Telemedical advice is free and supports the crew's training and the SCMG; it can also talk the person in charge of medical care through a procedure.
- The UK providers are at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
- Contact HM Coastguard first, on MF DSC, VHF DSC or VHF Channel 16. Satellite voice and mobile phones may be used but should not be the only means.
- The Coastguard takes basic details (casualty, vessel, position, next or nearest port, helicopter range if mid-ocean), then connects you to a TMAS doctor and can help arrange evacuation by helicopter or lifeboat.
The urgency call in MGN 623 is: "PAN PAN" x3, "All Stations" x3 (or the station x3), "This is" the ship x3, call sign, MMSI, "I require medical advice", "Over".
Before you call
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Name, age, sex, role | Identity and context |
| What happened, when, and the main complaint | Diagnosis |
| Observations with times: pulse, breathing, response, temperature, pupils | The trend |
| Past illness, allergies, regular medicines, anything already given | Safety |
| Position, course, speed, ETA to ports, helicopter range | Evacuation planning |
| What stores you carry | What the doctor can use |
The SCMG includes a proforma for this information; photographs can help (MGN 623). REG Yacht Code Annex J7 adds that anyone with medical duties should be instructed in the ship's medical guide and the medical section of the International Code of Signals.
The yacht framework
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| REG Annex J9(2) | Where no doctor is required, the master gives care or supervises a person with STCW medical training |
| REG Annex J8 | Medicine chest and guide inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months |
| REG 21B.13 | Separate hospital accommodation on vessels with 15 or more seafarers on voyages over three days; short-range yachts within 60 miles designate an en-suite cabin for longer trips |
| MGN 482 A2 | MLC medical care, costs, and the MSF 4155 medical report form for treatment ashore |
In practice the master holds PMC, the chief officer usually does too, and the MFA holders are the junior officers, engineers, purser and chief stew. On charter, guests may be elderly, may be on medication they have not declared, and may be far from their own doctor. The medical questions on the preference sheet are worth reading.
Outside UK waters
MGN 623 describes the UK route. Around the world, any Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre will connect a vessel to its national telemedical service. Many yacht managers also contract a private telemedicine provider; know which the yacht uses and whether the master wants it called first, but never at the expense of the Coastguard in a real emergency.
WARNING — Do not delay Call early. The doctor would rather hear about chest pain an hour too soon than a helicopter's range too late.
Designated duties, the team response and drills are covered in Crowd & Crisis Management and HELM - Operational Level.