Maritime Coastguard Agency
Overview
This guidance for doctors takes you through:
- MCAs general criteria for ADs
- types of AD
- how to apply for appointment as an AD
MCAs recruitment system has been established in agreement with maritime employers and seafarers trade union organisations.
It aims to serve the seafarers working on UK vessels, and holding UK Certificates of Competency (CoCs).
MCA is currently recruiting for ADs
- Trinidad, along the West Coast from Port of Spain to San Fernando: Closing date 4th October 2023.
Criteria for appointment as an AD
The appointment of Approved Doctors to carry out ENG1 seafarer medical examinations is restricted to areas where a demand for at least 50 examinations in a year has been demonstrated.
The most suitable candidate is appointed based on qualifications, experience and location.
The full recruitment procedure is detailed in chapter 2 - the role of an approved doctor, in MCAs approved doctors manual.
The categories of ADs
General list doctors are:
- available to all seafarers
- spread over a wide geographical network
- mainly appointed on a replacement basis
Vacancies are advertised locally using the local CCG; MCA keeps a file on those who have expressed an interest in becoming an AD. Youll then be invited to apply to make sure of fair and open competition.
All the applications are reviewed by MCAs chief medical adviser.
Company doctors are:
- appointed at the request of companies with vessels on the UK flag, subject to the MCA chief medical advisers scrutiny of qualifications and experience
- only able to do medicals on those employed by the shipping company
- usually contractors to major shipping companies, or providing services to a ship management or crewing company
- expected to provide a full occupational medical service for the shipping company
Apply to become an approved doctor
Download the application form to become an approved doctor, then send your completed application to the address on the form.
Speculative applications (meaning those not part of a recruitment process started by MCA) will be notified if a specific vacancy comes up.
The chief medical adviser will review your application, then itll be acknowledged by the medical administration team.
Further information
- The Ship Captains Medical Guide
- merchant shipping notice (MSN)1886
- Seafarers: medical certification
Last updated 26 September 2023 +show all updates
-
Removed Southampton as not currently recruiting.
-
Added Trinidad in body Text as an area for recruitment.
-
Removed, South of County Down, Northern Ireland and Wirral and West Cheshire (north), as these closed on 31st July 2023.
-
Southampton and surround areas added to: MCA is currently recruiting for Ads
-
Updated to advise of recruitment for approved doctors - Wirral and West Cheshire (north) closing date 31st July 2023.
-
Updated to advise of recruitment for approved doctors in South of County Down, Northern Ireland - closing date 31st July 2023
-
Updated to advise of the recruitment for approved doctors in - South of France, Cannes to Nice (coastal) - closing 16th of July 2023
-
Updated to advise of recruitment for MCA approved doctors in Manchester (specifically M60 corridor) closing date 30/06/2023.
-
Recruiting for ADs now closed, paragraph removed.
-
Updated to advise of recruitment for approved doctors in the North Scotland and Orkney - closing date 26th May 2023.
-
Updated to advise of recruitment for approved doctors in the North Scotland and Orkney area - closing date 26th May 2023.
-
Updated to advise that the MCA are recruiting for approved doctors in the Truro to Par area - closing 12th May 2023.
-
Updated to advise that MCA are recruiting for approved doctors in Isle of Skye - closing 14th April 2023 and Norfolk and Suffolk - closing dates of the 28th April 2023.