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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

  1. Alert the Master immediately; Master contacts TMAS via the flag state's channel (often MF/HF or INMARSAT-C).
  2. Provide the patient's age, sex, vital signs, and the ship's full medical kit contents (Cat A/B/C per STCW).
  3. Follow TMAS instructions to the letter — the medical log becomes a legal document.
  4. If disembarkation is needed, Master requests medevac via the nearest MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre).

Legal basis

SOLAS V/4.1 (SAR), ILO C164 (medical care onboard), MLC 2006 Regulation 4.1.

Related terms

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