The Vital Role of ENG1 Medicals

The Solong Collision: A Case for ENG1 Medicals

and why the ENG1 Certificate plays such a vital role in safety at sea.

On Monday, 10 March at 9:47am, the Solong, a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship, collided with another vessel off the coast of Yorkshire. The ship had navigated this same route 19 times in five months—suggesting that route familiarity was not the issue.

According to early commentary from marine safety experts, human error is the most likely cause. "Nobody was watching. Nobody was at the controls," said one analyst. The captain, a Russian national, has been arrested. Crew members were primarily Russian and Filipino nationals, operating under German shipping company Ernst Russ.

This incident is now being investigated by maritime authorities from Portugal and the US, with UK support. While investigators will look at navigation logs and equipment, one key angle deserves attention: Were the crew medically and mentally fit to be operating the ship?

That’s where the ENG1 certificate comes in.

What is the ENG1?

Required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the UK, the ENG1 confirms that seafarers are fit for duty at sea. It includes:

• Vision and hearing tests

• Cardiovascular and respiratory checks

• Mental health screening

• Assessment of medication use and underlying conditions

Why It Matters

Fatigue, illness, or untreated mental health conditions can impair judgment—sometimes fatally. The ENG1 is designed to identify and address these risks before they affect safety.

In the case of the Solong, whether the ENG1 had been completed and was up to date for all crew members is a question worth asking. If human error was the cause, understanding the physical and mental state of the crew is not only relevant—it’s essential.

Takeaway for Crews and Operators

• Keep ENG1 certificates up to date

• Don’t view them as “just paperwork”—they’re a vital safety tool

• Encourage open communication around health and stress onboard

The sea is unforgiving. Certification like the ENG1 isn’t just policy—it’s protection.