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Medical Test For Merchant Navy FAQ’s

Merchant Navy is one of the best fields you can join after class 10th, 12th, or even graduation. However, to join the Merchant Navy, there are some medical criteria that you need to fulfill to get admission into the college or to get sponsorship from a company. So, what are these medical criteria and the physical requirements to join the Merchant Navy? Let’s address some of the most common questions the aspirant asks about the Merchant Navy Medicals.

You can also check out whether you are medically fit to join the Merchant Navy or not with our Merchant Navy Eligibility Calculator.

Let’s start with the general requirements for the Merchant Navy such as height and weight.

How Much Height and Weight is Required for the Merchant Navy?

For the merchant navy, physical health is as important as mental health, so there are some physical criteria that you must fulfill to clear the Merchant Navy Medicals. 

  • The height required for boys to join the Merchant Navy is 157cm. 
    • For girls, the requirement is 145 cm.
    • If you belong to the hilly region, then you will get a relaxation of 5 cm. 
  • Apart from that your, BMI should not be in the under-weight or overweight category. 

You can check your BMI right now from the comfort of your home with our BMI Calculator.

What is the Eyesight Requirement in the Merchant Navy?

Eyesight in the Merchant Navy is always measured in vision and not power. For instance, it doesn’t matter if your eyesight is -1, or +1. The only thing that matters is your vision, it could be 6/6, or 6/9 depending on the person to person. 

The difference between the two is that the first one is power which is used to recommend a spec or lens while the latter is used to denote the vision of your eyesight.  

  • For the Deck Department, the eyesight requirement is either 6/6 in both eyes or 6/9 in the other eye not lower than that.
  • For the Engine Department at least 6/12 in both eyes or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye.
  • For the Galley Department at least 6/18 in both eyes or 6/12 in the better eye and 6/24 in the other eye. 

Can I Join the Merchant Navy with Specs or Glasses?

For freshers, the specs are not allowed. Your eyesight should be within the allowed limit set by DG Shipping.

  • For the Deck Department, the eyesight requirement is either 6/6 in both eyes or 6/9 in the other eye not lower than that.
  • For the Engine Department at least 6/12 in both eyes or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye.
  • For the Galley Department at least 6/18 in both eyes or 6/12 in the better eye and 6/24 in the other eye. 
  • For in-service seafarers, the specs are allowed but only up to a certain extent. 

Can I Join the Merchant Navy with Colorblindness?

Many aspirants get confused on the topic of colorblindness. Let’s see whether a colorblind person can join the Merchant Navy or not. 

  • A colorblind person is not eligible to join the Merchant Navy. 
  • It doesn’t matter which department you are going for, in the Merchant Navy colorblindness is not allowed for any department. 

You can check whether you are colorblind right now from the comfort of your home with our Colorblindness Test.

What is the Hearing Requirement in the Merchant Navy?

DG Shipping has set an audible limit for the Merchant Navy because it’s essential for all your senses to function properly.

  • According to DG Shipping, you should be able to hear at least 40dB of sound at all audible frequencies. 
  • You must be able to hear 40dB from both ears separately. Failing to hear the sound from either ear will fail the medicals. 
  • You also cannot join the Merchant Navy with a hearing aid. 

What is the Speech Requirement for the Merchant Navy?

  • There should be no speech disorders such as stuttering. It can lead to unclear messages at the time of conversation onboard and may result in an emergency.
  • If you have a cleft lip or cleft palate then you need to make sure that it is not creating any issues while speaking, only then you will be eligible for the Merchant Navy. 

What is the Required Blood Pressure for the Merchant Navy?

To join the Merchant Navy, your blood pressure should be within a particular limit set by DG Shipping. 

  • For freshers, your blood pressure should be below 150/90. 
  • For in-service seafarers below 50 years of age, it is below 160/100.
  • For people above 50 years old, it is below 175/100. 

 

If you are taking medicines for blood pressure, then there are some points that you should not down. 

  • If you are fresher, and your blood pressure does fall in the above limit set by the DG Shipping then you are not eligible to join the Merchant Navy even if you are taking medicines. 
  • If you are an in-service seafarer, then you can join the ship with medicines, but it shouldn’t be more than 2 different salts.

Can I Join the Merchant Navy with One Testicle?

There can be multiple cases with one testicle but we are going to address two of the most commonly found cases, which are:

  • If you have one testicle by birth. 
  • If you have one testicle after surgery.

Can I Join the Merchant Navy If I Have One Testicle by Birth?

If you have one testicle by birth, then you are eligible to join the Merchant Navy. One testicle by birth doesn’t cause any issues. Although the DG Shipping Doctor will do the required tests according to the criteria you’ll most likely pass the test. 

Can I Join the Merchant Navy If I Have One Testicle After Surgery?

If your one testicle is surgically removed then the DG Shipping will check the cause due to which it was being removed. If it was removed due to a medical history like torsion, then you can’t join the Merchant Navy but if it was removed due to an issue like hydrocele then you can join the Merchant Navy. 

You can check whether you are eligible to join the Merchant Navy with our Merchant Navy Medical Calculator. 

Can I Join the Merchant Navy with a Stone?

If you have stones either in the Kidney, Gall Bladder, or somewhere else in the body then you are not eligible to join the Merchant Navy. The stone may create an issue while onboard due to which the general operations of the ships may get delayed.

So, it is necessary to remove the stone with medicines or surgery depending on the size and location of the stone in the body.

Conclusion

These are some of the most commonly asked questions by the students who are going to join the ship for the first time. If you have any particular questions then make sure to check out our Merchant Navy Eligibility Calculator and get your answer instantaneously.

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