Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Article 11 Medical standards — issue and registration of certificates

1. Member States shall establish standards of medical fitness for seafarers, particularly regarding eyesight and hearing.

2. Member States shall ensure that certificates are issued only to candidates who comply with the requirements of this Article.

3. Each candidate for certification shall provide satisfactory proof:

(a) of his or her identity;

(b) that his or her age is not less than that prescribed in the Regulations in Annex I relevant to the certificate applied for;

(c) that he or she meets the standards of medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and hearing, established by the Member State and holds a valid document attesting to his or her medical fitness, issued by a duly qualified medical practitioner recognised by the competent authority of the Member State;

(d) of having completed the seagoing service and any related compulsory training prescribed in the Regulations in Annex I for the certificate applied for;

(e) that he or she meets the standards of competence prescribed in the Regulations in Annex I for the capacities, functions and levels that are to be identified in the endorsement to the certificate.

4. Each Member State shall undertake:

(a) to maintain a register or registers of all certificates and endorsements for masters and officers and, as appropriate, ratings, which are issued, have expired or have been revalidated, suspended, cancelled or reported lost or destroyed and of dispensations issued;

(b) to make available information on the status of such certificates, endorsements and dispensations to other Member States or other Parties to the STCW Convention and companies which request verification of the authenticity and validity of certificates produced to them by seafarers seeking recognition of their certificates or employment on board ship.