Medical at sea
Your first call in a medical emergency is your Master. Onboard medical decisions are supported by telemedicine providers — the ship's flag or owner usually contracts one (CIRM, Radio Medical, Medlink are common). TMAS (Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service) is free under SOLAS for any ship in distress.
Step-by-step
- Alert the Master immediately; Master contacts TMAS via the flag state's channel (often MF/HF or INMARSAT-C).
- Provide the patient's age, sex, vital signs, and the ship's full medical kit contents (Cat A/B/C per STCW).
- Follow TMAS instructions to the letter — the medical log becomes a legal document.
- If disembarkation is needed, Master requests medevac via the nearest MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre).
Evidence to save
- Patient vitals log (BP, pulse, temperature, oxygen sats) at 15-min intervals
- TMAS consultation transcript (master writes verbatim + the time)
- Medication administered with dose, time, and route
- Photographs of the injury / condition if visible (with consent)
- Original PEME (Pre-Employment Medical Examination) certificate
What NOT to sign
- Any waiver of further medical care to expedite discharge
- Release of liability presented by the owner before P&I cover engages
Legal basis
SOLAS V/4.1 (SAR), ILO C164 (medical care onboard), MLC 2006 Regulation 4.1.
Primary sources
- SOLAS V/4.1 — Search and rescue · imo.org
- MLC 2006 Reg 4.1 + Std A4.1 — Medical care onboard + ashore · normlex.ilo.org
- IMO MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide for use in accidents involving dangerous goods) site unreachable
- Rights pillar: medical care · seafarerindex.com
Related terms
Organisations that can help
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7
- Global · 24/7 crisis line
- Europe · Mon-Fri 9-17 GMT
- Global · 24/7 emergency line
- Asia-Pacific · Office hours
Disclaimer. General information only — not medical or legal advice. In a real medical emergency at sea, contact TMAS via the flag-state channel and follow the medical professional's instructions. Onboard medical decisions are the master's responsibility under SOLAS V/4.1.