Running the system
Governing: MIN 718 (M+F); MSN 1905 Amendment 5, Annex 6; Table A-II/2 'Organize and manage the provision of medical care on board'; REG Yacht Code Annex J.
The Ship Captain's Medical Guide
| Point | MIN 718 |
|---|---|
| Edition | 24th, published 20 December 2024 |
| Purpose | For vessels with no medical professional aboard: assessing and treating trauma and illness |
| Carriage | Vessels carrying Category A or B stores; e-book acceptable if readily accessible |
| Role | The handbook for UK medical first aid and medical training |
| Changes | Revised spinal immobilisation, updated antibiotics guide, new COVID and infectious disease content, updated emergency algorithms |
| Availability | From TSO; not free on gov.uk |
MSN 1905 Amendment 5 reflects the 24th edition's treatment advice, so the guide and the stores list belong together; keep a copy of the notice with the guide. Other flags use the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships or their own equivalent; Table A-II/2 accepts either.
Know your way around it before you need it: the emergency algorithms, the examination and TMAS proforma, the medicines section, and the chapters on the problems your yacht is most likely to see.
What the master and chief mate must be able to do
Table A-II/2 requires management-level officers to organise and manage medical care, with thorough knowledge of:
- the International Medical Guide for Ships or national equivalent (the SCMG for the UK);
- the medical section of the International Code of Signals;
- the Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG).
A working yacht medical system
| Element | Practice |
|---|---|
| Stores | To MSN 1905 A5 for your category, or the flag's equivalent; RA items justified in writing |
| Inspection | Full check at intervals not exceeding 12 months by a competent person (REG J8; MSN 1905 3.2), ideally not the person who manages them |
| Monthly | IRB, AED battery and pads, oxygen contents, fridge temperatures, expiries |
| Documents | SCMG, copy of MSN 1905, controlled drugs register, observation charts, TMAS proforma, crew medical and vaccination records |
| People | PMC holder and a deputy; MFA holders across departments; EFA for all |
| Drills | Casualty drills in the engine room, galley, tender garage and on deck, including stretcher extraction |
| Charter | Guest medical and allergy information read and acted on |
| Contacts | Coastguard/MRCC, TMAS route, any private telemedicine contract, agents |
Your own competence
PMC is a five-year certificate on UK ships for a reason. Between courses, read the SCMG, run drills, and review real incidents. MSN 1858 Amendment 2 requires PMC for the senior yacht certificates; the job requires you to be able to use it.
CAUTION — The master as patient Design the system so the ship can manage without you. Brief your deputy on where everything is, including the controlled drugs keys.
TIP — Debrief After any significant medical event, review what worked and what did not: equipment, communication, records. Update the procedures while it is fresh.