C1.2.f. Can a ship’s doctor issue a medical certificate?

The question whether or not a ship’s doctor can issue a medical certificate to seafarers on the ship concerned would need to be decided by the competent authority of the flag State [see A25.] bearing in mind that, in accordance with Standard A1.2, paragraph 4, duly qualified medical practitioners must enjoy full professional independence in exercising their medical judgement in undertaking medical examination procedures [see C1.2.e.]. This requirement presumably would not be met if the ship’s doctor is an employee of the shipowner.

Medical certificate