Orientation
Governing: MI-118 §2.11 and §4.1.4; MI-280 Section 2 and §5.2; STCW Regulation I/9. Builds on: L2.1.
Medical fitness
Every applicant must show a medical examination completed within the 24 months before application, on the RMI form MI-105M or an acceptable equivalent that meets STCW Regulation I/9 and Section A-I/9. The report must be signed by the examiner and the examinee and must state that hearing, vision and general physical and mental condition were examined and that the applicant is fit for duty.
MI-118 §2.11.3 sets minimum standards:
| Test | Deck officer | Engineer or radio officer |
|---|---|---|
| Vision, with or without glasses | 20/20 one eye, 20/40 other | 20/30 one eye, 20/50 other |
| Unaided vision if glasses worn | At least 20/160 both eyes | At least 20/200 both eyes |
| Colour vision | CIE standard per STCW Table A-I/9 | Same |
| Hearing | Whisper at 15 ft (4.57 m) better ear, 5 ft (1.52 m) poorer ear | Same |
| Speech | Unimpaired for voice communication | Radio officers: same |
Blood pressure must be within the average range for age. Certain conditions are prima facie disqualifying, and wilful concealment of medical history is grounds for revocation.
While serving on an RMI vessel you must keep the original MI-105M (or equivalent) and produce it on request (MI-280 §2.2.4). An ENG1 or other STCW-compliant national medical is normally presented as the "equivalent".
TIP — The RMI medical exemption If you already hold an RMI CoC or CoE issued within the last 24 months, MI-280 §2.2.3 says you need not undergo another medical for a SIRB or SQC application; send a copy of the RMI certificate instead.
Training certificates and their dates
MI-118 attaches a five-year currency test to three safety courses. Each must have been issued within five years before the date of application:
- advanced firefighting (§2.11.6);
- proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats, PSCRB (§2.11.7);
- medical first aid (§2.11.8).
Deck applicants must also show radar simulator, ARPA and BRM training; ECDIS where the yacht is fitted with it. Engineers need ERM, and HV where fitted. Operational-level officers need leadership and teamwork; management-level officers need leadership and managerial training. GMDSS certification is required for deck officers assigned to commercial vessels (§2.11.9–2.11.16).
For the SIRB, basic training (§4.1.4) means personal survival techniques and fire prevention and firefighting, each issued within five years, plus elementary first aid and personal safety and social responsibilities, plus STCW security awareness.
CAUTION — Refreshers are the usual trap STCW refresher training keeps your national certificate valid, but the RMI reads the date on the certificate you send. Send the most recent refresher certificate, not the original course from ten years ago.
Age
No certificate is issued to anyone under 18. Beyond that the two RMI publications disagree:
| Grade | MI-118 §2.11.1 | MI-280 §5.2.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Mate / First Assistant Engineer | 21 | 19 |
| Master / Chief Engineer | 21 | 21 |
Young yacht officers on an accelerated path should get a written answer before filing. Proof of age is by passport, birth certificate or similar.
Citizenship
An applicant may be of any nationality, except from a sanctioned nation, and need not be a citizen or resident of the RMI (§2.11.2).