Offshore Medicals is run by Dr Helle Wibe
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.
A no or a shorter certificate need not be the final word. Here is what the rules say about reduced validity, dispensation and appeals for the OEUK medical, the Norwegian health certificate and the Danish seafarer medical.
The rules work with three outcomes: you are fit, you are fit with restrictions, or you do not meet the requirements. A restriction can be a shorter validity, for example.
For seafarers, a restriction can also apply to your duties on board or your trading area, such as coastal waters. Your health information must not appear in the restriction, and the maritime doctor reports the result to the Danish Maritime Authority without health information.
If you feel the doctor has not assessed you in line with the OEUK guidelines, you can contact the OEUK Medical Adviser. In a further review, three other examining doctors look at the documentation.
One example of a shorter certificate is the weight rules: from 115 kg clothed, the OEUK certificate is issued with 3 or 6 months validity. Read more in the guide to weight and BMI offshore.
The petroleum doctor can limit the health certificate to a set period, or issue a statement that the health requirements are not met. You can bring either before the County Governor of Rogaland (Statsforvalteren).
The case goes through the petroleum doctor who examined you. The doctor carries out any further examinations the case needs and forwards it to the County Governor.
The County Governor can grant a dispensation from the health requirements, with a time limit and conditions. A reply normally takes 4 to 6 weeks, and up to 12 weeks in busy periods. Dispensation is only granted when there are special reasons and safety does not argue against it.
If you disagree with the County Governor's decision, you can appeal to a complaints board. The deadline is 3 weeks from receiving the decision. The County Governor states that you appeal through your petroleum doctor.
If you have been found unfit or fit with restrictions, a new medical may only be carried out with permission from the Danish Maritime Authority. Permission can be given when there is documentation that your health has changed, or when there are special circumstances.
You do not need permission if more than 2 years have passed since the last examination, or if you were given restrictions and your certificate expires within 6 months. The Authority can also allow you to obtain a specialist's statement.
You, the shipowner or the Danish Maritime Authority can bring the result before the Maritime Appeals Board (Ankenævnet for Søfartsforhold). The appeal must be in writing and sent to Nævnenes Hus within 8 weeks.
For eyesight and hearing, the Danish Maritime Authority can deviate from the requirements after a statement from a specialist in eye diseases or ear, nose and throat diseases, and then issue a new certificate.
Ask the doctor exactly which requirement you did not meet, and whether a restriction is possible instead of a no. We always go through the result with you before you leave.
Medical records, statements from your own doctor or a specialist, and previous certificates make a review faster.
OEUK, the County Governor of Rogaland and the Maritime Appeals Board each have their own route and deadline. See the sections above.
Sources: Offshore Energies UK, FAQs for doctors and offshore workers; OEUK, Safe Weight Limit Explanatory Note, April 2026; Norwegian regulation on health requirements for persons working on petroleum installations offshore, chapter 4; Statsforvalteren i Rogaland, Helseerklæring offshore; Danish order on medical examination of seafarers and fishermen, sections 9, 10, 11, 18, 23 and 29; Nævnenes Hus, Ankenævnet for Søfartsforhold. Read September 2026. This page is practical guidance, not legal advice.
Not straight away. If you have been found unfit or fit with restrictions, a new medical requires permission from the Danish Maritime Authority, unless more than 2 years have passed or your restricted certificate expires within 6 months.
For the Danish seafarer medical it is 8 weeks to the Maritime Appeals Board. For the Norwegian health certificate the deadline is 3 weeks to appeal the County Governor's decision.
Normally 4 to 6 weeks according to the County Governor of Rogaland, and up to 12 weeks in busy periods.
For seafarers, your health information must not appear in a restriction on the certificate, and the result is reported to the Danish Maritime Authority without health information.
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.