Mental Health Factors in Seafarers’ Failed Medicals Double Among Under-25s

The number of young seafarers temporarily stood down from work at sea with mental health recorded as a factor has more than doubled in a year, according to new figures.

Data obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) by private medical clinic The Health Suite under the Freedom of Information Act shows “mood or affective disorders” were recorded as a contributing condition in 64 temporarily unfit ENG1 medical decisions involving 16 to 24-year-olds in 2025. That compares with 30 in 2024, a rise of 113%.

The trend has continued into 2026, with 58 such decisions in the 16 to 24 age group between January and August alone, already close to the whole of 2025.

The ENG1 is the medical certificate every seafarer working on UK-flagged vessels must hold. A temporarily unfit decision means the seafarer cannot work at sea until they are reassessed.

Dr Asiya Maula, GP and director at The Health Suite, which offers the Seafarer Medical among its services, said: “These figures are concerning. A career at sea means long spells away from home, family and friends, often in a demanding environment with limited access to support.

“For someone in their first years at sea, that can take a heavy toll on their mental health.

“In one sense, it’s encouraging that these issues are being picked up at the ENG1 medical. A temporarily unfit decision isn’t the end of a career at sea. It’s a chance to get the right support in place before returning to work.”

Across all ages, mood or affective disorders were listed in 223 temporarily unfit decisions in 2025, up from 116 in 2024, a rise of 92%. A further 174 were recorded in the first eight months of 2026.

Younger seafarers make up most of these cases. Those aged 16 to 34 accounted for 123 of the 223 decisions in 2025 (55%) and 109 of 174 so far in 2026 (63%).

The increase is not confined to the youngest workers. Among 45 to 54-year-olds, mood-related temporary unfitness rose from seven decisions in 2024 to 35 in 2025.

Mental health was one of several conditions recorded more often. Between 2024 and 2025, asthma and other respiratory conditions were listed in temporarily unfit decisions 126 times, up from 61. Vision problems rose from 159 to 280, and heart conditions from 185 to 284.

Dr Maula added: “Anyone worried about their mental health ahead of an ENG1 medical should speak to their GP early. Getting support in place, and keeping a record of any treatment, can make a real difference when it comes to reassessment.

“Employers, colleges and training providers also have a big part to play. Preparing young recruits for the realities of life at sea, and making sure they know where to turn if they’re struggling, could stop many of them reaching this point.”

The figures also show that seafarers who challenge an ENG1 decision often succeed. Of 124 decisions referred to an independent medical referee between January 2024 and August 2026, 73 (59%) were changed.

Press release