Getting Started
ENG1 Medical NZ: Where to Get One & What to Expect
In short
The ENG1 is the seafarer medical you need for yacht work, and it has to be done by an MCA-approved doctor. Allow about 90 minutes, bring photo ID and your glasses, and the certificate normally lasts two years. Book it before the STCW course in case anything flags.
If you want to work on a superyacht from New Zealand, the ENG1 is the medical you need, and it has to be done by a doctor approved by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Allow about 90 minutes for the appointment, bring photo ID and any glasses or contact lenses you use, and do it before you pay for anything else.
This guide covers what the ENG1 is, what the doctor checks, what to bring, how long it lasts and what happens if something flags. For the bigger picture, start with our STCW and ENG1 overview.
What the ENG1 is (and isn't)
The ENG1 is the UK seafarer medical fitness certificate. The MCA lists merchant ship and yacht crew among those who need one, and says it must be issued by an MCA-approved doctor. A check-up from your own GP won't do, however thorough it is.
It is also different from other seafarer medicals, such as the Maritime NZ or Australian (AMSA) versions. For yacht work, you want the ENG1.
Getting it done in New Zealand
This is one of the few parts of the process where there are right places and wrong places. Only MCA-approved doctors can issue an ENG1, approved doctors are few, and booking the wrong type of medical wastes your time and money. When you work with us, we introduce you to the right ones, so you book the correct medical first time.
If you'd like to check for yourself, the MCA publishes its list of approved doctors overseas (updated 25 August 2026). Book a discovery call and we'll point you to the right place.
What happens at the appointment
The MCA says the examination checks hearing and sight (distance, colour and near vision), plus a physical examination, a review of your medical history, your weight and height, and a urine sample. It's thorough, but it's designed to confirm you're fit to work at sea, not to catch you out. Allow about 90 minutes.
What to bring
The MCA's how to apply page lists what to take:
- Photo ID (a passport or driver licence).
- Your previous ENG1 certificate, if you have one.
- Your local doctor's name, address and contact details.
- Any medication you take.
- Your glasses or contact lenses, but not colour correction lenses.
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How much does the ENG1 cost in NZ?
I couldn't find an official published NZ fee, so I won't guess. Our STCW and ENG1 guide estimates roughly NZD $350 to $450. We'll confirm the current fee when we introduce you. The MCA's approved doctor guidance notes that an unemployed applicant generally pays for their own examination, so budget for it as a start-up cost. To see how it stacks up against earnings, see our superyacht salary guide.
How long does an ENG1 last?
The MCA's Approved Doctor's Manual (July 2020) says a certificate should be issued for two years unless there is a clinical reason to shorten it, or the seafarer is under 18, in which case it is shorter. That's a useful buffer: you can do the medical well before you fly and still have it valid for your first contract. Put the expiry date in your phone the day you get it.
When to book it
Do the ENG1 first. If anything flags, you want to know before you've paid for flights, courses and crew-house deposits. A sensible order if you're aiming for the Mediterranean in spring (see Mediterranean vs Caribbean yacht season):
| When | What |
|---|---|
| October to November | ENG1 medical |
| December to January | STCW Basic Safety Training (book 4 to 8 weeks ahead) |
| January to February | One-page CV, flights, crew-house |
| March | Arrive and start dockwalking |
A suggested order, not a rule. The STCW booking window is from our STCW and ENG1 guide.
What if something flags?
Per the MCA, you can be found fit with restrictions (for example, limited to certain jobs or locations) or you can fail. A condition that needs regular checks, such as high blood pressure, can instead lead to an unrestricted certificate that is time-limited until the next check, up to the two-year maximum.
If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for an independent medical review. You must contact the MCA within one month; it covers the cost of the review and you pay your own travel. If you have a condition you're worried about, talk to us before you spend anything. We can't give medical advice, but we can help you plan around the timing.
Your ENG1 checklist
- Book it first, before STCW, flights or deposits.
- Pack photo ID, your previous ENG1 (if any), your GP's details and a list of medication.
- Bring glasses or contacts, but not colour correction lenses.
- Allow about 90 minutes.
- Diarise the expiry date.
The full list is in our free First Season Checklist, with role-specific next steps in our deckhand guide and stewardess guide.
ENG1 medical FAQs
Where can I get an ENG1 medical in NZ?
Only from an MCA-approved doctor, and there are very few. Book a discovery call and we'll introduce you to the right one.
How long does the ENG1 appointment take?
Allow about 90 minutes.
How long is an ENG1 valid for?
Normally two years for adults, per the MCA's Approved Doctor's Manual. It can be shorter if the doctor has a clinical reason, or if you're under 18.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. Bring them to the appointment, but not colour correction lenses.
What if I fail or get a restricted ENG1?
You can ask the MCA for an independent medical review, but you must contact it within one month. The MCA covers the review cost and you pay your own travel.
Sources: MCA seafarers medical certification guidance, MCA how to apply, MCA Approved Doctor's Manual. Checked 1 October 2026.
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Nick studied at university in Dunedin before finding his way onto superyachts with zero prior experience and sailing around the world. He's worked in recruitment and education, watched good candidates get overlooked for doing the wrong training in the wrong ports, and now coaches young Kiwis through the same journey: honest, one-on-one and industry-backed.