Having the right grades and
the passion to have a life at the sea will not get you a career in the merchant navy. In
order to join a merchant navy course, you must have the physical fitness and
medical requirements that are necessary to have a career on ships.
The candidate must be in good
mental and physical health and free from any kind of bodily defect to interfere
with the efficient performance required at the sea. Read on to find out if
you are physically fit to join the merchant navy.
1. Constitution
There should be no evidence
of weak constitution by way of imperfect development of muscles or serious
malformation. Weight below 42 kg and height below 150 cm will be rejected. The
chest should be well developed with a minimum range of expansion of 5 cm.
2. Skeletal System
There should be no disease or
impairment of functions of bones or joints, contracture or of deformity of
chest or any joint, abnormal curvature of spine, deformity of feet like bow
legs, knock knees, flat feet, deformity of upper limbs, malformation of the
head, deformity from fractures or depression of the skull, fractures (healed)
with a pin inside will be a disqualification.
3. Ear, nose and throat
There should be no impaired
hearing, discharge or disease in either ear, unhealed perforation of tympanic
membrane or signs of acute or chronic suppurative otitis media or evidence of
radical mastoid operation, evidence of disease of the bones and cartilage of
the nose, nasal polypus or disease of nasopharynx or accessory sinuses. Loss or
decay of teeth to such an extent as to interfere with efficient mastication. No
disease of the throat, palate, tonsils or gums or any disease or injury
affecting the normal function of either temporo mandibular joint. Individuals
with severe pyorrhoea are to be rejected.
4. Speech
There should be no impediment
of speech (e.g. stammering)
5. Lymphatic System
There should be no enlarged
glands, tubercular or due to other diseases in the neck or other parts of the
body. Thyroid gland should be normal.
6. Cardiovascular System
There should be no sign of
functional or valvular or other disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Electrocardiogram should be within normal limits. Systolic blood pressure
should not exceed 150mm of Hg nor Diastolic above 90 mm of Hg.
7. Respiratory System
There should be no evidence
of chronic or respiratory tract disease, pulmonary tuberculosis or previous
history of this disease or any chronic disease of the lungs. X-ray of chest
should be normal.
8. Digestive System
There should be no evidence
of any disease of the digestive system and that liver and spleen should not be
palpable and there should be no abdominal tenderness on palpation.
9. Genitourinary System
There should be no palpable
and enlarged kidneys. There should not be any disease of kidneys. Cases showing
albuminuria, glycosuria or blood (RBC) in urine will be rejected. There should
be no hernia or tendency thereto. Those who have been operated for hernia may
be declared fit provided:
(a) One year has
elapsed after the operation. Documentary proof to be produced by the candidate.
(b) General tone of abdominal
muscles should be good and
(c) There has been no
recurrence of hernia or complications with the operation. There should be
no hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele or any other defect of genital organs,
no fistula and/or anal fissure or evidence of hemorrhoids (Piles), rectal
polyps. There should be no active latent or congenital venereal diseases, undescended
intra abdominal testicle on one side unassociated with hernia, provided the
other testicle is normal and that there is no physical or psychological effect
due to undescended testicle will be accepted. Undescended testicle is retained
in inguinal canal or at the extra abdominal ring will be rejected.
10. Skin
There should be no skin
disease unless temporary or trivial. Scars which by their extent or position
are likely to cause disability or marked disfigurement are a cause for
rejection.
11. Nervous System
There should be no history or
evidence of mental disease of the candidate or in his family. Candidates having
history of fits in continence or urine or enuresis will not be accepted. Mental
or nervous irritability, abnormality of gait, defective functions of cranial
nerves, inco-ordination, motor or sensory defaults will be rejected.
12. Eye Sight
There should not be any
degree of squint or any morbid condition of eyes or of the eyelids that is
liable to aggravate or recur, pressure of trachoma and iris complication
sequela. Candidates must possess good binocular vision (fusion faculty and full
field of vision in both eyes). Movement of the eyeballs must be full in all
directions and the pupils should
react normally to light and accommodation.
The vision should be 6/6
(normal) in each eye separately. Defective colour vision tested by Ishihara Colour
Blindness Test is a
disqualification.
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13. Any other defect which in the opinion
of the medical board will interfere with the individual’s efficiency as an
officer of the merchant navy.
Note: The Above Information
is provided by the Directorate General of
Shipping, Merchant Shipping Act 1958.
