MCA ENG1
Alongside STCW, the ENG1 medical certificate is the other near-universal prerequisite for superyacht work. Here's what it is, how long it lasts — and a searchable list of the doctors approved by the MCA to issue one.
What is an ENG1 medical certificate?
ENG1 is the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's standard seafarer medical fitness certificate, governed by MSN 1886. It confirms you meet the medical standard to work at sea — eyesight, hearing, cardiovascular health, and general fitness for a physically demanding job with limited access to medical care. Most crew get theirs alongside STCW Basic Safety Training, since both are needed before your first job regardless of department.
How long does it last, and what does it cost?
An ENG1 is valid for up to 2 years if you're 18 or over (1 year if you're 16–18), and you're required to notify the MCA of any change to your medical fitness during that period. Cost varies by doctor and country — in the UK it's capped at a maximum fee set by the MCA; overseas it's typically a private medical fee set by the individual doctor, so it's worth confirming the price when you book.
Find an MCA-approved ENG1 doctor
This is the part people search for most, so we'll be direct about it: only a doctor on the MCA's official approved list can issue a valid ENG1. We've pulled the MCA's own list into a searchable directory below.
145 doctors, searchableMCA ENG1 Doctor ListSearch by name, county or country — UK-wide plus overseas crew hubs including France, Spain, South Africa and the USA.Search the list →That source list changes often — doctors are added and removed on a rolling basis — so our directory is a dated snapshot, not a live feed. Confirm details directly with the doctor before travelling to an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is an MCA ENG1 medical certificate?
ENG1 is the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's seafarer medical fitness certificate. It confirms you're medically fit to work at sea, and almost every superyacht job requires one before you can be employed — most crew agencies and captains won't even consider you without it.
How do I find an MCA-approved doctor near me?
Only doctors on the MCA's official approved list can issue a valid ENG1 — a certificate from any other doctor won't be accepted. We publish a searchable directory of approved doctors, sourced from the MCA and dated, at /mca-eng1-doctors.
How long does an ENG1 last?
Up to 2 years for seafarers 18 and over, or 1 year if you're 16–18. You must notify the MCA of any change to your medical fitness during that validity period.
Can any doctor issue an ENG1?
No. It must be a doctor specifically approved by the MCA for seafarer medicals — a GP or a doctor who isn't on the approved list cannot issue a valid ENG1, even if they perform a similar examination.
What happens if my ENG1 expires while I'm working?
You'll need to renew it before it expires to keep working legally — most crew renew a few weeks ahead while docked somewhere convenient, since it requires an in-person examination with an approved doctor rather than anything that can be done remotely.
Sorting your first certifications?
ENG1 and STCW are usually the first two boxes to tick. STCW Basic Safety Training sits under our Safety Certification category, since it's required for every department, not just deck.
Compare Safety Certification courses