Dr Nightingale has been providing medical services to seafarers since 2018. He is accredited by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to certify medical fitness for seafarers. SAMSA certification complies with international standards and is recognized as equivalent to the ENG1 medical, as per the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) notice MSN 1815 (M).
Seafaring is a physically and mentally demanding occupation with inherent risks. A high standard of medical fitness is required both when entering the industry and throughout a seafarer’s career. The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010 and the Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2018 legally require all seafarers to hold a valid certificate of medical fitness for their specific role.
Dr Nightingale offers medical evaluations to all seafarers – across deck, engine, navigation, catering, and support departments. He has extensive experience working with crew on a wide range of vessels, including yachts, cruise ships, cargo carriers, research vessels, offshore drilling platforms, mining ships, and fishing vessels.
Services include
Medical Evaluations
Comprehensive assessments to ensure fitness for duty at sea, taking into account chronic medical conditions, the demands of routine and emergency duties, and the physical toll of travel—especially air travel to and from ships.
Visual Acuity Testing
Testing includes distance vision, near vision, colour vision, and visual field assessments to confirm visual fitness for maritime work.
Audiometric Testing
Hearing evaluations are performed using a pure tone audiometer to ensure compliance with required hearing standards and to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss.
Travel Vaccinations
Dr Nightingale is licensed under the Health Regulations Act, 1974 (Act 28 of 1974), to provide required travel vaccinations, including yellow fever.