New Medical NVIC from the Coast Guard
It may or may not be new to mariners, but there is a National Vessel Inspection Circular (04-08)
from the Coast Guard detailing the specific requirements for obtaining medical waivers for conditions individual mariners have. For example, if a mariner wears eyeglasses, to obtain a renewed MMD or license, there are certain guidelines the medical doctor must go through in the exam, and the patient must pass, to grant a waiver. The NVIC lists hundreds and hundreds of ailments. In my opinion, it is not the mariner who should be worried, but merely a guideline for doctors who are unfamiliar with granting waivers to follow so the exam is completed properly. If there is another interpretation out there, please let me know.
Leonard Lambert
May 9th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
In the case of waivers, any issue that requires the NMC to ask for clarification or additional information will generate a waiver without any regard to whether the issue is an impediment or not. After providing the additional and requested information, the waiver will be issued and be required to be carried along with a mariner’s documents even if the issue was a “non-event” medically.
If it kicks up a red flag, it will get a waiver.
The mariner is also obligated to notify the NMC within 30 days if there is any change in the condition noted in the waiver.