An ML5 is a domestic medical certificate that seafarers or fishermen need to get to certify they are medically fit to work safely at sea as:

• The master of a passenger ship that does not go to sea (Class IV or V)
• The master of a commercial vessel that does not go to sea
• The master or a crew member of a small commercial vessel certificated for Area Category 2 to 6 – no more than 60 miles from a safe haven
• A crew member or anyone else (for example, catering staff) who normally works on a domestic passenger ship (Class VI or VI (A)) that goes to sea
• A fisherman working on a fishing vessel that is under 24 metres in length and does not normally remain at sea for more than 72 hours or operates further than 200 miles from the UK coastline – this applies from 30 November 2023 

The ML5 consists of the standard ML5 report with a certificate attached and is designed in a question and answer format. The applicant should take the form to their GP to complete or any other medical practitioner registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC) with a valid licence to practice.

If the doctor ticks any “yes boxes” indicating a medical condition, or has made comments concerning the applicant's fitness, then they will be unable to issue the ML5 certificate.

In these circumstances, the ML5 report can be referred to an MCA Medical Assessor for a decision based on the seafarer or fisherman’s fitness to undertake their role and the medical standards in MSN 1886. In order to start the referral process, the applicant should complete Part D of the ML5 Medical Report and send the entire medical report to the appropriate department as below:

• If the applicant is using their ML5 medical to obtain a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) commercial endorsement, the ML5 certificate and report should be submitted to the RYA along with any other documents required
• If the applicant is using their ML5 medical to apply for a Boatmasters Licence, the ML5 certificate and report should be submitted as part of the Boatmaster application form to their local marine office
• For crew members of class VI or VI (A) passenger ships, the ML5 certificate and report should be submitted to their local marine office
• For fishermen, the ML5 certificate and report should be submitted to the MCA Medical Administration Team either by email to medical@mcga.gov.uk or by post to: 

Medical Administration Team
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG