Pre-employment medical examination (PEME)

Employer-mandated PEME and how it relates to the statutory STCW/MLC medical.

What it is

An additional medical examination required by employers and P&I clubs before each contract. Typically more detailed than the statutory medical: chest X-ray, full blood and urine panels, dental, drug screen, ECG, sometimes vaccination top-ups.

Who needs it

Every seafarer signing a contract with a P&I-insured operator (which is most of them). Some manning agencies use their own panel of clinics.

When it is checked

• Pre-flight by the manning agency.
• Sometimes re-checked at sign-on if travel was long.

Common mistakes

• Paying for it out of pocket when the employer is supposed to cover it — under MLC most owners cover PEME; check the SEA.
• Using a non-approved clinic — the operator's P&I may refuse to recognise the certificate.
• Going to PEME with a known undiagnosed condition (e.g. uncontrolled blood pressure) — fix it first, then test.

Validity

Usually contract-specific. Some P&I clubs accept a PEME within 3 months of sign-on.

Last verified 15 days ago