Medical Care On Board Ship Course

The Medical Care on Board Ship (MCOBS) Course aims to equip learners with the high-level knowledge and confidence required to assume medical-care duties, ensuring patient stabilization and care during prolonged periods at sea.

Why Choose The Medical Care on Board Ship Course at SFATC?

• MPA Recognized: Specifically developed to meet the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) requirements for seafarers and offshore personnel.
• Expert Instructor Lead: Our trainers are experienced first aid professionals dedicated to your competency.
• Industry Trusted: Recognized by organisations across Singapore as the primary training for first aid preparedness.

What You Will Learn:

• Care Of Casualties: Provide appropriate care to casualties in offshore settings.
• Treatment Of Diseases: Learn the pathophysiology and management of diseases.
• Dental Care: Effectively manage dental-related conditions.
• Gynaecology And Pregnancy: Emergency childbirth and other gynaecological conditions. 
• Medicines And Medical Equipment: The correct use of medication and application of medical equipment available on board vessels. 
• Death At Sea: identifying death cases and the correct handling before reaching land.

Why Choose SFATC:

• 24 Years Of First Aid Excellence: SFATC has a robust track record of over 2 decades in the first aid training industry
• Over Half A Million Trained: We have trained and certified over 500,000++ learners to date from all sectors
• Locally And Internationally Accredited: SFATC is the only first aid and life support training centre in Singapore that is accredited both locally and internationally
• Singapore’s Highest Rated Training Provider: With over 32,000 Google Reviews and a 4.9-star average, our commitment to excellence speaks for itself. 

“Trainer was very engaging and sharing personal experience was very insightful.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Syazwan Nahar

The goal of the Medical Care on Board Ship Course is to equip you to:

• Diagnose with Precision: Conduct advanced casualty assessments and identify various diseases or environmental injuries.
• Intervene with Confidence: Execute surgical techniques (sewing/clamping) and administer injections safely.
• Maintain Onboard Health: Implement hygiene, disease prevention, and environmental control measures on the vessel.
• Navigate Legalities: Understand the procedures for managing gynaecology, pregnancy, and death at sea.
• Complete Assessments Successfully: Excel in the MPA-required theory assessments and practical evaluation stations.

To successfully complete the Medical Care on Board Ship Course, you will need to

• Attend all in-class sessions
• Achieve a minimum 80% score for the Medical Care on Board Ship Theory Assessment
• Successfully complete all practical evaluations and skills stations. 

Although most learners succeed at first try, up to 3 attempts are given to complete all assessments successfully.

Medical Care on Board Ship Course learners must be

• Must have completed the Medical First Aid On Board Ship Course (STCW Regulation VI/4, Section A-VI/4-1)
• Proficient in English
• Able to perform moderate physical activities such as CPR
• Willing to practice techniques on one another

Medical Care on Board Ship Course FAQs:

Who is required to take the Medical Care On Board Ship (MCOBS) Course? 

The Medical Care On Board Ship course is required for all seafarers and offshore personnel who must respond to medical and trauma emergencies at work. This training ensures organizations meet mandatory regulatory requirements for emergency preparedness.

How long is the MPA Recognised Medical Care On Board Ship certification valid? 

The Medical Care On Board Ship certification is valid for 5 years. To maintain your qualification for compliance, you must attend a refresher course within 3 months of current certificate expiry.

What is the difference between the Full Classroom Medical First Aid On Board Ship Course and Medical Care On Board Ship Course? 

While both courses are recognized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and comply with STCW standards, they differ in depth of training and assigned responsibility. Medical Care On Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-1) is a 24-hour course (3 days) focused on providing immediate medical assistance to injured or ill persons at sea. It covers essential life-saving skills like CPR, AED, wound management, and basic patient examination. Successful completion of this course is a mandatory prerequisite before you can enroll in the Medical Care On Board Ship Course. Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) is a more advanced 28-hour course (3.5 days) designed for those with the ultimate responsibility for medical care on a vessel. It goes beyond basic first aid to include complex nursing care, disease treatment, administration of medication (including injections), dental care, and even managing childbirth or death at sea. In short, Medical First Aid focuses on immediate stabilization, while Medical Care provides the comprehensive skills needed to manage a patient’s health over a longer duration while the ship is at sea.

What is the difference between the Medical Care On Board Ship Course and the Standard First Aid Course?

The approach for responders on board a ship demands specific interventions which are unique in the offshore context. The Medical Care On Board Ship (MCOBS) Course is specifically tailored for maritime environments. It includes specialised modules like Radio Medical Advice, toxicological hazards aboard ships, and medical care for rescued persons. The Standard First Aid (SFA) Course focuses more on general, day-to-day emergencies and does not cover these specialised offshore and on-vessel modules.

What specific life-saving skills are covered in the Medical Care On Board Ship Course? 

During this intensive course, you will learn advanced skills such as aspects of nursing, alcohol and drug abuse, and treatment of diseases. You will also learn how to provide medical care for rescued persons with traumatic injuries, hypothermia or cold exposure. Another unique coverage in this course is environmental control on board a ship, which aims to give you clear directions on how to conduct environmental control in a structured manner.  

Is this course accepted by MPA for seafarers and offshore personnel?

Yes. The Medical Care On Board Ship Course is recognised and accepted as the qualification required to perform first aid on board a vessel.

Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in the MCOBS course? 

Participants should be proficient in English, able to perform moderate physical activities like CPR, and willing to practice techniques on fellow learners. 

Can I use the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) to offset course fees for the Medical Care On Board Ship Course? 

Yes. The MCOBS course is eligible for MCF funding. However, application for MCF is not automatic and has to be applied early during registration. 

I don’t have past exposure to medical care. Will I struggle with the Medical Care On Board Ship Course? 

Not at all. While this is an advanced clinical program, it is specifically designed to build progressively upon the foundations you have already established. In fact, a mandatory prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the "Medical First Aid on Board Ship" course, ensuring you already have the essential life-saving baseline required to succeed. The curriculum begins with a comprehensive First Aid Review before transitioning into more complex nursing aspects and disease management. Our experienced trainers utilize instructor-led lectures and intensive hands-on practice to coach you through every new skill, from administering injections to advanced techniques like suturing and clamping. Because the course focuses heavily on practical application and demonstrations, you will have ample opportunity to refine your techniques under expert supervision, ensuring you gain the confidence needed to manage medical situations in an isolated vessel environment.

If I wish to become a first aid instructor, does the Medical Care On Board Ship Course meet the prerequisites?

The Medical Care On Board Ship Course does not meet the qualifying prerequisites for the entry into the first aid instructor course in Singapore (Standard First Aid Instructor Course). The Medical Care On Board Ship Course is a very specialised course for medical care responders on board vessels. As such, aspiring instructors are still required to undergo Standard First Aid Course certification to meet the provider level requirement for the Standard First Aid Instructor Course. 

What happens if I miss a session or fail the assessment? 

To remain eligible for SSG funding, you must use the Singpass app for attendance and pass all assessments. If these requirements are not met, the trainee or sponsoring company may be liable for the full, non-funded course fee.

How many attempts do I have for the Medical Care On Board Ship assessments? 

Most Medical Care On Board Ship learners succeed on their first try; however, we provide up to 3 attempts to complete all theory and practical assessments successfully.

Is the Medical Care On Board Ship Course easy? Will it be difficult to pass the MCOBS Course?

The Medical Care On Board Ship Course covers a wide spectrum of topics and skills practice in a short time. Although it is easy to follow and delivered in a highly interactive manner to encourage retention, it does require learners to invest effort to fully grasp the concepts delivered. Nevertheless, the success rate for learners is very high, and learners complete the course feeling confident and better prepared to perform in emergency situations.