A Maritime Safety Medical (AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness) confirms a seafarer’s health for duty at sea.
An up-to-date medical is required before you:
- can sign on and work onboard a vessel
- apply for a maritime qualification
- Maritime Certificates expire or need renewing
Affinity Family Medical offers Maritime Safety Medical assessments in the Whitsundays and can issue certificates for Coxswain and Seafarers for those in Northern Queensland and beyond.
AMSA Domestic Seafarer Medical Queensland
All seafarers and coastal pilots must be assessed for medical fitness to safely perform duties at sea, where access to medical care is limited.
The AMSA medical certificate assessment covers physical exams, vision (including colour), hearing, and lab tests, usually valid up to:
- 4 years if the person is 19 to 50 years old at the time of assessment
- 2 years if the person is 51 to 60 years old at the time of assessment
- 1 year if the person is 18 years old or younger, or 61 years old or older at the time of assessment
Coxswain Medical Certificate Requirements
Coxswain (Grade 1, 2, or 3) certificate applicants in Australia must submit a completed Certificate of Medical Fitness for Near Coastal Seafarers (AMSA form 1850), ensuring they are fit for duty according to AMSA standards.
The process for completing the AMSA medical is generally straightforward, but in some cases may require additional checks, such as blood tests, imaging, or specialist referral.
You can start the process by calling Affinity Family Medical on (07) 4804 5680.
AMSA Certificate Of Medical Fitness (Form 1850)
After booking your doctors appointment, please download and print the ‘Certificate of medical fitness for near coastal seafarers (form 1850)’ form here and fill in the applicant details section on the form.
Alternatively, arrive 15–20 minutes early, and our reception staff can provide a hard copy of the form for you to complete before your medical appointment.
Please bring your completed form to your appointment so your GP can conduct the medical assessment and complete the official AMSA form for you to submit with your application.
Your AMSA Medical Consultation
At Affinity Family Medical, your doctor will complete all required checks for your AMSA medical certificate to the Standards for the medical examination of domestic seafarers, most likely including a:
- General health assessment (height, weight, blood pressure and overall fitness)
- Vision testing (distance, near and colour vision using Ishihara plates)
- Hearing check
- Urine test
- Review of your medical history and any current conditions
A Double Check Before Your AMSA Medical
The doctors and support staff at Affinity Family Medical can organise what you need to keep everything on track for your certification.
However, the requirements of your seafarer’s medical certificate for domestic use may vary, so please check with your employer or the relevant authority to ensure the certificate you arrange meets these needs.
Note that if you are aware of an existing eye condition, you may need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for testing before your AMSA Medical. In this way, you can provide a copy of the report to your medical practitioner at the assessment.
Those seeking more information can visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website, which contains further details on how to meet the medical requirements for domestic seafarer certificates.
