The health and wellbeing of seafarers is a key priority for the Club. Every year, the Club records several claims that are found to be a result of pre-existing or congenital illnesses, such as heart related problems. In some cases, such underlying conditions have proven life-threatening, in part due to the remote trading areas of a vessel and the lack of adequate evacuation facilities in the vicinity. In addition to the challenges in providing immediate medical assistance, such situations inflict immeasurable stress and trauma on seafarers’ families who wait anxiously for news and updates.
The Club’s investigations into the causation of such incidents identified 21 different types of illnesses which have resulted in claims over the last five policy years. Of these illnesses, at least ten could have been detected sooner had the seafarer undergone an enhanced pre-employment medical examination (EPEME).
To address these concerns, the Club has developed its own Medical Enhancement Scheme for Seafarers (Medisea), which employs the same checks and tests as an EPEME, for seafarers serving on board our Members’ vessels. However, unlike other EPEMEs, Medisea also makes additional considerations to ensure the positive mental health and wellbeing of seafarers. These additional tests make the Medisea examination more comprehensive than other standard statutory medical examinations as required by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and any other industry medicals that may be undertaken (e.g. Oil and Gas UK).
It is envisaged that Medisea examination will become a primary solution for advanced detection of pre-existing or congenital illnesses and prevent seafarers who are not fully fit and able from joining onboard employment.
To maintain the quality and integrity of the Medisea programme and to ensure consistency and accountability, only clinics accredited by the Club should be utilised. Clinics are only approved when they have successfully passed a detailed audit by a trained medical practitioner experienced in such programmes. Listed clinics are audited annually to ensure optimum standards are maintained.
Further information about the Medisea programme can be found via the resources below:
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Meet the team
Business Relations & Medisea Executive
Regional Head – Business Relations and Medisea
Medisea Liaison Officer