ENG1 and the Dutch Seafarer Medical: recognition in the UK and the Netherlands
Seafarers who work internationally are frequently confronted with questions about the validity and recognition of medical certificates. In practice, this most often concerns the ENG1 issued in the United Kingdom and the Dutch Seafarer Medical Certificate.
In the Netherlands, the seafarer medical system falls under the authority of the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT). In English-language contexts, this authority is referred to as NSI.
This article does not explain the medical content of the examination itself. Instead, it focuses on the legal recognition and practical use of the ENG1 and the Dutch seafarer medical certificate in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and international maritime operations.
International framework and the role of the flag state
Both the ENG1 and the Dutch seafarer medical certificate are based on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006). This international convention sets minimum medical fitness standards for seafarers. Responsibility for implementation and enforcement lies with the flag state of the vessel.
The flag state determines:
which medical certificates are accepted;
which authority supervises medical examinations;
under what conditions recognition applies.
This explains why different countries issue different certificates, while the underlying medical standards remain largely the same.
Mutual recognition between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
The Netherlands recognises seafarer medical certificates issued by designated foreign authorities. The United Kingdom is one of these countries. As a result, a valid ENG1 is accepted in the Netherlands as a recognised foreign seafarer medical certificate.
The Dutch seafarer medical examination is performed by doctors authorized within the Dutch system under the supervision of the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT). Click here for official information about the Dutch Sefarer Medical.
Conversely, the United Kingdom recognises the Dutch seafarer medical certificate as an alternative to the ENG1 for service on UK-flagged vessels. This recognition is confirmed by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) in her medical standards for seafarers.
Because of this mutual recognition, seafarers are generally not required to hold multiple medical certificates at the same time.
Why an ENG1 cannot be issued in the Netherlands
An ENG1 certificate cannot and may not be issued in the Netherlands. This is a direct consequence of the mutual recognition between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The ENG1 is a national UK medical certificate. It may only be issued by doctors who are specifically approved by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and who operate within the UK certification system. Dutch-authorised seafarer medical examiners, even though fully qualified to perform seafarer medicals, are therefore not permitted to issue an ENG1.
Omdat het Verenigd Koninkrijk de Nederlandse zeevaartkeuring erkent als alternatief voor een ENG1, bestaat daar ook geen noodzaak toe. Evenzo erkent Nederland een geldige ENG1 als buitenlandse zeevaartkeuring. Juist deze wederzijdse acceptatie voorkomt dubbele certificering en onnodige herkeuringen.
ENG1 and Dutch seafarer medicals in practice
Although the medical assessment itself is essentially equivalent, administrative differences remain. The ENG1 is issued under the UK system and supervised by the MCA. The Dutch seafarer medical certificate is issued within the Dutch system under supervision of the ILT (NSI).
In practice, the distinction mainly concerns:
which certificate is formally requested;
which authority supervises issuance;
the flag under which the vessel operates.
From a medical standpoint, neither examination is stricter or more lenient than the other.
Comparison: ENG1 vs Dutch seafarer medical certificate
| Topic | ENG1 (VK) | Dutch seafarer medical certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Type of examination | Seafarer medical examination | Seafarer medical examination |
| Legal framework | Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) | Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) |
| Supervising authority | UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) | Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT / NSI) |
| Accepted on Dutch-flagged vessels | Yes (recognised) | Yes |
| Accepted on UK-flagged vessels | Yes | Yes (recognised alternative) |
| RYA commercial endorsement | Accepted | Accepted |
The differences are therefore administrative and national, not medical.
RYA commercial endorsement
For a RYA Yachtmaster Certificate with commercial endorsement, a valid medical certificate is required. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accepts both a valid ENG1 and a valid Dutch seafarer medical certificate.
Holding a specific ENG1 is not mandatory if a valid Dutch seafarer medical certificate is already in place. Official RYA guidance is here available.
Conclusion
For internationally operating seafarers, the practical difference between an ENG1 and a Dutch seafarer medical certificate is often smaller than expected. As long as the certificate is valid and recognised by the relevant flag state, medical fitness for duty is generally not an issue. Mutual recognition between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom prevents duplicate certification and explains why ENG1 issuance in the Netherlands is neither permitted nor necessary.
General information on the Dutch seafarer medical examination itself can be found on our Seafarer Medical examination page.
FAQ's
Written by Sven Daam, ILT-, OEUK- and ElementNL-certified medical examiner specialising in maritime and offshore health assessments.
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