The Department of Transport Canada has a requirement for two (2) Physicians to perform tasks including the assessment of seafarer fitness for work on board a vessel, development of medical standards, education, and training for Marine Medical Examiners (MMEs).
The Marine Medical Unit (MMU) of Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for all aspects of medical fitness standards for seafarers and advises on many issues related to marine safety and occupational health. This includes assessment of seafarer fitness for work on board a vessel, development of medical standards, education, and training for Marine Medical Examiners (MMEs). Decisions must be made based on the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and the medical requirements as determined in Section 8 of the Marine Personnel Regulations.
The Marine Medical Unit involvement in the marine certification of seafarers traces its origins to Canada’s decision to become a member state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and a signatory to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Under the regulatory framework that followed, physicians became essential for providing informed, rational, and reasonable medical decisions in support of the determinations of marine medical examiners on seafarer fitness. Marine medical examiners are physicians who enter into an agreement with Transport Canada to provide physical examinations to seafarers seeking certification.
Marine Medical Unit physicians verify, accept or contest decisions on seafarer fitness made by marine medical examiners before issuing medical certificates. In addition, they are lead witnesses in cases that are appealed to the Transportation Appeals Tribunal of Canada (TATC).
Transport Canada may award up to two (2) contracts, one (1) for each resource/ physician.
The Contract period is for one (1 ) year plus four (4) one-year irrevocable options allowing Canada to extend the term of the contract(s).
