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.
Related
Primary sources
High confidence
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