Directorate General of Shipping’s Fitness Requirements for Sea Service
To be declared fit for selection, a candidate must be in good mental and physical health and free from any deficiency likely to interfere with the efficient performance of duties. These medical requirements are laid down by DG Shipping and are subject to change.
The Following Features are to be Particularly Observed:
Constitution
There should be no evidence of a weak constitution by way of imperfect development of muscles or serious malformation. Minimum height should be 157 centimeters with co-related weight and proportionate chest with a minimum 5-centimeter expansion. Requirements of minimum height for girls is 150 centimeters.
Skeletal System
There should be no disease or impairment of functions of bones or joints. The candidate should also be free from any contraction or deformity of the chest or any joint. There should also not be any abnormal curvatures of the spine, deformity of legs and feet like bow legs, knock knee, flat feet. Neither should there be any instance of deformity of upper limbs, malformation of the head, deformity from fractures or depression of the skull. Healed fractures with a pin inside will also be a disqualification.
Ear, Nose, Throat
There should be no impaired hearing, discharge from or disease of either ear, unhealed perforation of the tympanic membrane or signs of acute or chronic supportive otitis media or evidence of radical or modified radical mastoid operation and no congenital malfunction of the ear. Unaided average threshold is to be higher than 40 dB in both ears at 500,1000,2000, and 3000 Hz and / or functional speech discrimination less than 90% at 55 dB in both ears is required. A candidate should be able to hear a whisper at 5 meters on each side without using hearing aids.
Candidates should not be afflicted with any disease of the bones and cartilage of the nose, nasal polypus or disease of naso-pharynx or accessory sinuses.
There should not be any loss or decay of teeth to such an extent as to interfere with efficient mastication. There should also not be any evidence of any 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 pyorrhea will also be rejected.
Speech
There should be no speech impediment orimpairment like excessive stammering or a pronounced lisp.
Lymphatic System
All candidates must have a normally functioning glandular system without signs of tubercular enlargement or abnormality due to other diseases in the neck or other parts of the body.
Cardiovascular System
There should be no instance of cardiac or vascular disease. Electrocardiogram should be within normal limits. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure must not exceed 140 and 90 mm of Hg, respectively.
Respiratory System
There should be no evidence of chronic or upper respiratory disease, tuberculosis or history of this disease. X-ray of the chest should be normal.
Digestive System
There should be no evidence of any disease of the digestive system and the liver and spleen should not be palpable. There should be no abdominal tenderness on palpation.
Genitourinary System
The kidneys should not be palpable, enlarged, or diseased. Candidates with albuminuria, glycosuria or blood (R.B.C) in urine will not be accepted. There should be no hernia or tendency thereto. Those who have been operated for hernia may be declared fit provided:
one year has elapsed after the operation (documentary proof required); general tone of abdominal muscles is good; and here has been no recurrence of hernia or complications arising from the surgery.
There should be no hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele or any other abnormality of genital organs. There should not be any incidence of fistula and/or anal fissure, hemorrhoids (piles) or rectal polyps. There should be no active latent or congenital venereal disease. Candidates with un-descended testes retained in the inguinal canal or at the extra abdominal ring will not be accepted.
Skin
There should be no skin disease except that of a temporary or trivial nature. Scars, which by their extent or position are likely to cause disability, are also unacceptable.
Nervous System
There should be no history or evidence of mental disease of the candidate or in his family. Candidate having history of fits, incontinence of urine or enuresis will not be accepted. Mental or nervous irritability, abnormality of gait, defective functions of cranial nerves, non-co-ordination, motor or sensory dysfunction will be cause for disqualification.
Eyesight
Candidates must not have any degree of squint or any morbid condition of eyes or of the eyelids that is liable to aggravate or recur. Neither should they exhibit symptoms of pressure trachoma and iris complications or 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 direction and the pupils should react normally to light and accommodation.
Distance vision unaided 6/6 in both eyes or 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in other eye.
Variation in Eye-sight requirement is there in various courses and colleges and is subject to company/course/college requirements.
Color Blindness is not permitted.
Normal color vision is to be tested by Ishihara test chart. Candidates may also be disqualified by reason of any other deficiency that in the opinion of the examining doctors will interfere with or compromise the individual’s ability to properly function as an officer in the merchant navy.
Other Tests
In addition, at the time of the medical examination or subsequently at any time during the program, candidates may be asked to undertake Drugs and/or HIV tests.