Guidelines for the review of an applicant presenting with, or with a history of, kidney stones for the issuance of a marine medical certificate - SSB No.: 15/2021

Purpose

This bulletin is to let you know that Transport Canada has implemented a new way to review the medical fitness of seafarers presenting with, or with a history of, kidney stones when prospectively issuing a Medical Certificate.

Scope

This bulletin is for:

• authorized representatives of Canadian flagged vessels, or
• seafarers presenting with, or with a history of kidney stones who seek or hold a marine medical certificate (whether a Provisional Medical Certificate issued under section 275 of the Marine Personnel Regulations; or a Medical Certificate issued by the Minister under section 278 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, hereinafter referred to as “Marine Medical Certificate”)

Background

The Marine Personnel Regulations require certain seafarers who seek to be members of the complement of a Canadian vessel to hold a Marine Medical Certificate. The standard for medical fitness is specified in the Marine Personnel Regulations.

As part of the medical assessment of a seafarer, the marine medical examination takes into account the standards of medical fitness for seafarers set out in:

• the International Labour Organization and World Health Organization’s Guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers, and
• Transport Canada’s Physicians’ Guide, TP 11343

What you need to know

A marine healthcare professional conducting a marine medical examination, should take into account the following criteria to assess a seafarer with a history of kidney stones.

If a seafarer has:

• any size of kidney stone or underwent a procedure to remove a kidney stone in the past 2 years, consideration should be given to the issuance of a Provisional Medical Certificate with a limitation of near coastal voyage, Class 2^{Footnote 1}.
• symptoms and a history of kidney stones, the symptoms should be investigated and consideration should be given to the issuance of a Provisional Medical Certificate  with a limitation of near coastal voyage, Class 2^{Footnote 1}.
• a history of kidney stones but has been free of kidney stones for more than 2 years, consideration should be given to the issuance of a Provisional Medical Certificate without geographical limitations.
  • The seafarer must provide an updated report on their kidney stones during their marine medical examination.

The above noted guidelines are one of many factors that a healthcare professional will take into account when evaluating the unique health conditions of a candidate and implications for working and living at sea. At all times, the medical health requirements specified in section 270 and 287(5) of the Marine Personnel Regulations and the seafarer’s unique situation must be followed any time a medical certificate is issued.

Reconsidering an old decision related to kidney stones

Any seafarer who was issued a Provisional Medical Certificate, or a Marine Medical Certificate, that was limited to near coastal voyage, Class 2, prior to publication of this Ship Safety Bulletin, can be reassessed by seeking a new marine medical examination. During this assessment, the healthcare professional will use these guidelines.

Disclosing your medical information

Remember – you must not knowingly provide false or misleading information or statements to the person doing the marine medical examination, or acting on behalf of the Minister.

Implementing this policy

This policy comes into force as soon as this Ship Safety Bulletin is published.

This policy will be repealed (cancelled) when new regulations are brought into force that replace the Marine Personnel Regulations. These new regulations are being developed and will reflect the information in this bulletin.

Keywords

1. Provisional Medical Certificate
2. Marine Medical Certificate
3. Kidney stones

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).