Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of the Ocean Medical International Newsletter. I hope you will find the information useful and relevant, particularly with regard to medical safety at sea. The Newsletter is one of several new initiatives from Ocean Medical International in our continuing efforts to improve services to our clients.

Communicating via the Internet has transformed the way business is managed. Many of our orders are already handled this way and we expect this to increase. However, we also believe in providing a personal service, and with Ocean Medical International you will always be able to talk or meet with our staff whenever you wish.

Your comments and feedback are important to us in our endeavours to improve all aspects of our services - Medical Kits, Medical Advice Service and MCA Medical Courses. The same applies to this Newsletter and I look forward to hearing from you with any suggestions for future editions.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy summer season.

Dr Ian Marshall, Medical Director, Ocean Medical International

The MCA has issued a revised Marine Guidance Note (MGN 264 (M)) for "Medical Fitness Requirements, Those Employed on Boats Certified under Codes of Practice, Crew of Seagoing Local Passenger Vessels and Non-seagoing Boatmasters".

The background to this MGN is the implementation of the medical certification requirements of the EC Maritime Working Time Directive through the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations 2002. The regulations apply to any seafarer on board a seagoing ship, on the business of the ship, including boats operating under MCA Codes of Practice for small commercial vessels, large yachts and seagoing local passenger vessels. Those who work onboard these vessels are required to have valid medical certificates confirming their medical fitness for the work for which they are employed.

The standard requirement for all seafarers on UK merchant ships, and for the skipper and all those working on Code vessels which operate more than 60 miles offshore, is the ENG 1 medical fitness certificate. Only an Approved Doctor following a full medical examination can issue an ENG 1 certificate. It is valid for up to 2 years.

Since 1993 the ML5 Report has been accepted as evidence of medical fitness for skippers of local passenger vessels and Code Boats, and has been accepted by the RYA for commercial endorsement of an offshore licence. To meet the EC requirements for certification a revised ML5 Report, including a detachable Certificate, has been introduced from 1 March 2004. In future the RYA will keep the ML5 Report, and a copy of the certificate, and will return the endorsed certificate to the seafarer to keep. Those not requiring an RYA Certificate, that is anyone other than the skipper working on a Code vessel or the crew of a seagoing local passenger vessel, do not need to have their ML5 Certificates endorsed by the RYA, but should retain them for inspection as necessary. The certificate is valid for a maximum of 5 years.

A copy of MGN 264 (M) can be obtained from the MCA website at www.mcga.gov.uk.

MOTION SICKNESS

Prevention is easier than treatment. When motion is unavoidable, susceptible persons should minimize exposure by positioning themselves where motion is the least. In a boat this means in the middle of the vessel close to water level. In an airplane over the wings is best. Lying flat or semi-flat with the head supported is best. Reading should be avoided. Keeping the axis of vision at a 45° angle above the horizon reduces susceptibility. Avoiding visual fixation on waves or other moving objects is helpful to some. On a ship, a well-ventilated cabin is important, and going out on deck for a breath of fresh air helps. Alcoholic or dietary excesses before or during travel increase the likelihood of motion sickness. Small amounts of fluids and simple food should be consumed frequently during extended travel, but if travel time is short, food and fluids should be avoided.

Prophylactic drugs should be given before nausea and vomiting occur. Ideally several hours before departure, and a minimum of one hour before, susceptible persons may be given one of a range of treatments to reduce or prevent symptoms. However, all of these drugs can cause adverse effects, especially in the elderly. The most common side effect is sedation and crew should not be on watch when this occurs. Sedative and other side effects are exacerbated with alcohol consumption, which should be avoided if prophylactic treatment for seasickness has been taken.

If emotional factors are significant, stronger sedative drugs may be given before departure. All dosages should be appropriately modified for prolonged travel and medical advice should be sought in these circumstances. If vomiting occurs, a drug must be given rectally or by injection to be effective. If vomiting is prolonged seek medical advice about giving fluids and electrolytes subcutaneously or rectally (or intravenously if medically trained personnel are administering it) to replace fluid loss and treat or prevent dehydration.

All medical kits are supplied with a detailed, itemized Inventory, which you can use as a management tool to maintain your medical kit supplies. The Inventory will assist you greatly in conducting updates. We strongly recommend that you consider reviewing your medical kit supplies every 6 months. 

Please note that the Inventory has been revised in the past year, which incorporates additions and some changes in quantity of the supplies in the kit in accordance with MCA revisions.  In addition, there are new revised editions of all Manuals and CD-rom. The Instruction Manual and Assessment Guide are now in their 6^th edition, and the new Reference Manual is in its 1^st edition.  If you would like a copy of the latest Inventories, please e-mail us at admin@omi2.com. The revised Inventories are also included on the OMI CD-rom, also developed within the last year, which has a full rundown of the OMI database and Manual system.

Remember that for all new medications received you will need to input their expiration dates into the Kit Inventory. The Inventory has been developed on an Excel spread sheet, so for future updates, all you have to do is date sort the expiration date column to find which medications will require replacing. A quick e-mail to us detailing replacement items is all that will be required to conduct your update. We are able to supply your updated supplies to most destinations, globally within 7 to 10 working days.

Don't forget that we are always available to you through our 24/7 Radio/telemedical service should you require assistance in an emergency.  The contact numbers for this supprot is listed on the front cover of all the Manuals.

 

Reps and Agents We would like to welcome Non Stop Yacht supply as our exclusive Agent in Barcelona, Spain.  Non Stop Yacht supplies Parts, Products & Spares for Yachts and Superyachts. Additionally, Mallorca Sea School & Charters joins us as an OMI Representative in Port Portals, Mallorca, Spain.  Mallorca Sea School is one of the top RYA training centers in the Mediteranean and provides all levels of RYA yacht training as well as a small fleet of motor & sail charter yachts.

The OMI Management Team

Medical Directors: Dr Ian Marshall & Dr David Irons         Sales & Marketing Director: Nick Stael von Holstein (pictured)                                                         Administrator: Jane Marshall

Please feel free to contact us at any time, should you require assistance or if you have any questions.