Medical help — onboard injury or illness right now
Seafarer injured or ill onboard. Get the Master + TMAS engaged immediately; document everything for the inevitable insurance + repatriation conversation.
Immediate action (do this first)
Alert the Master + the designated medical officer immediately. Do not wait.
Ask the Master to request a TMAS (Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service) consultation if shore-side medical advice is needed.
Document everything: symptoms, timing, what activity caused it (if injury), witnesses.
If serious + at sea: request medevac or deviation to nearest suitable port. The cost is the owner's (MLC 4.1).
If in port: ask the agent to arrange immediate shore-side care.
Evidence to save
Time + circumstances of injury or first symptoms.
Names of witnesses + their statements (signed).
Photos of any injury or hazard that caused it.
Medical-log book entry signed by the Master.
Every TMAS consultation message (logged automatically).
Shore-side hospital records + diagnostic reports.
Any communication with the P&I club about the case.
Escalation chain
Master + onboard medical officer (immediate)
TMAS consultation via radio / satellite — Master is required to facilitate.
Agent + shore-side hospital at next port — P&I club typically arranges via the agent.
Flag-state seafarer-complaint channel — If care is refused or delayed in breach of MLC 4.1.
ISWAN SeafarerHelp — For welfare follow-up + family liaison.
Do NOT
Don't sign anything from the P&I club without reading carefully — some forms include claim waivers.
Don't accept 'we'll see how it develops' as a response to a serious symptom — escalate to TMAS.
Don't refuse repatriation for medical reasons in exchange for a wage bonus.