The requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate applies to all members of the voyage crew (participants) on the following legs:

One Ocean Expedition: Reykjavik – Nice (May 8 – June 3, 2025)
Number of sailing days: 26

One Ocean Expedition: Ponta Delgada, Azores – Nuuk, Greenland (July 8 – 29, 2025)
Number of sailing days: 21

 

Presentation at Embarkation

A valid seafarer’s medical certificate must be presented at embarkation in the departure port. If the certificate cannot be presented, participants may be denied boarding. In such cases, Statsraad Lehmkuhl will not be responsible for any expenses related to return travel. We recommend that you have the certificate ready and easily accessible at departure to ensure a smooth start to the voyage.

What is a Seafarer’s Medical Certificate?

A seafarer’s medical certificate is a health certificate that confirms you are medically fit to work or participate in extended voyages at sea. The certificate is issued by an approved maritime doctor and includes a basic examination of vision, hearing, general health, and physical function. The purpose is to ensure that all participants are well-prepared to handle the physical demands of long voyages and contribute to a safe and comfortable journey. For more information about seafarer’s medical certificates, visit the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s website.

Why is the Seafarer’s Medical Certificate Required

The requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate is introduced as a precautionary measure for selected voyages, in collaboration with our insurers and ship doctors. This is due to longer voyages in varied waters, limited SAR (Search and Rescue) options in the area, and limited medical resources on land. The requirement is intended to ensure a safe and comfortable voyage for everyone on board.

There will be a ship’s doctor on board for all legs, and the ship is equipped with a small but well-equipped hospital for handling minor medical needs. However, due to the unique challenges of certain longer voyages, we take extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

The requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate is based on the following considerations:

– Voyage duration: Longer voyages place higher demands on the physical health of participants.
– Distance to the nearest hospital: The ship will at times be far from land, making quick access to external medical assistance challenging.
– Limited on-board medical capacity: Although the ship has a small hospital, capacity is limited.
– Limited access to medical facilities on land: In certain ports, particularly in Nuuk, Greenland, access to medical facilities may be restricted. See more about Nuuk below.

 

How do I obtain a Seafarer’s Medical Certificate

To obtain a seafarer’s medical certificate, schedule an appointment with a maritime doctor approved by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjøfartsdirektoratet). These doctors are authorized to conduct medical examinations for seafarers and issue the necessary certificates. You can find a list of approved maritime doctors on the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s website, or contact your general practitioner for assistance in locating the nearest approved maritime doctor. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation does not reimburse expenses related to consultations with maritime doctors for the issuance of a seafarer’s medical certificate.

What if I do not have access to an approved maritime doctor?

There are nearly 500 approved maritime doctors across Norway. Norway and the EEA + UK have mutual recognition of each other’s medical certificates for seafarers.

Most participants should therefore be able to obtain a valid seafarer’s medical certificate. If you still face challenges obtaining one, please contact the foundation well in advance of the voyage for an individual assessment:lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no / +47 55 30 17 00 (kl. 10-14)

I have already booked my trip – does this requirement apply to me?

Yes, the requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate is retroactive and applies to all participants on one or more of the selected legs.

I went to a maritime doctor but did not get a valid certificate – can I still participate?

Unfortunately, no. All participants on these two legs must present a valid seafarer’s medical certificate at embarkation. For those who have already purchased tickets, we offer a full refund of the ticket. Please note that Statsraad Lehmkuhl does not refund other expenses such as flights and hotel stays.

Can I get a refund if I cannot or do not wish to obtain a seafarer’s medical certificate?

Yes, anyone who purchased their ticket before the requirement was introduced can receive a full refund if they cannot or do not wish to obtain a seafarer’s medical certificate. Statsraad Lehmkuhl does not refund other expenses.
No refund will be given for tickets purchased after the requirement was introduced. All participants who purchase tickets after the requirement was implemented must check a box confirming they understand and accept the terms requiring a seafarer’s medical certificate for this voyage.

I got my seafarer’s medical certificate, what now?

The seafarer’s medical certificate must be presented at embarkation in the departure port. If the certificate cannot be presented, you may be denied boarding.

There is no need to submit the certificate to Statsraad Lehmkuhl in advance, except for participants without access to an approved maritime doctor. These participants must contact us well in advance of the voyage for an individual assessment; see the section above.

Nuuk, Greenland – Special Considerations for Logistics and Preparedness

During the stay in Nuuk, there will be many people gathered, as participants from the Azores-Nuuk leg disembark while new participants from the University of Tromsø board. Additionally, there will be a crew change for the ship´s professional crew. As a small town, Nuuk has limited hospital resources, and weather conditions can affect air traffic, potentially causing delays. Therefore, we take extra precautions in Nuuk to ensure good logistics and preparedness.

We apologize for any inconvenience the requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate may cause and look forward to welcoming you on board two of the most exciting legs of the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026!

You can find a list of approved maritime doctors on the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s website.

The requirement for a seafarer’s medical certificate is outlined in our terms for travel, Chapter 4.6

Questions? Contact us: lehmkuhl@lehmkuhl.no / +47 55 30 17 00 (kl. 10-14)

Photo: Malin Kvamme / André Marton Pedersen