Pre-employment physical

I am new to the offshore industry and am curious about the pre-employment physical. How in depth is the physical. What requirements do you have to meet?

Are you healthy? Weight, blood pressure, color blindness. Need to show all is well if you have any surgeries /accidents. Do you have any heart disease, diabetes is alsoa flag. Strength is also an issue. Grip strength and the ability to lift a certain amount. Different companies have different requirements but this is the very minimum that I can think of. Sleep disorder is a potential problem. Really depends on where you are going to work.

In terms of deckhand positions on the Mississippi, do companies like Ingram, Kirby, etc. perform a pulmonary function test? I have very mild asthma and don’t suffer asthma attacks or sensitivity, just slightly lower lung capacity. I don’t use an inhaler and run three days a week…

Another issue, this week, where 6 mariners failed the physical, was having rotten teeth that had to be extracted.
Something must have happened recently where Dr. Duet at ECO is having to require mariners to have root canals done or total extractions.
At least 2 of my guests had to have this done and 4 other mariners this week.
So, make sure you have a clear dental record, also.

Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA

Website: www.achateauonthebayou.com

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Chateau-On-The-Bayou-Bed-Breakfast-Claudette-L-Pitre/121896531157165

Got it, to work in the GOM for a supplyboat company you must be a tri-athlete. Run a 6-7 minute mile, Have worked 25 years on board a supply vessel. DP 7 on your license, be 34 years old. And now have movie star teeth.

sarcasm intended.

Pretty much^

It’s not that bad, Dr. Duet gave me a physical before I transferred to Brazil, yes he checks almost everything. I had an issue with an abnormal EKG, I went and got cleared by a cardiologist with no problem. you will have a hearing test, blood pressure, dental hygiene, chest and back x-ray, physical dexterity, ekg and a few more. The first thing will be a urine test, it will be for drugs and to check for blood. I was 55 years old and with ECO for 20 years when I went. Also, ECO BP standards are lower than the CG requirements, If I’m not mistaken it has to be lower than 140/90.

ECO physicals also use the ASO giving to mariners here in Brazil, It is more in depth than the standard MM physical. We have to take one every year to work here in Brazil. I took my last one in December and a psychological evaluation was added to it. I see this also being added to the ECO physical in the states.

[QUOTE=chefedemaquina;133618]It’s not that bad, Dr. Duet gave me a physical before I transferred to Brazil, yes he checks almost everything. I had an issue with an abnormal EKG, I went and got cleared by a cardiologist with no problem. you will have a hearing test, blood pressure, dental hygiene, chest and back x-ray, physical dexterity, ekg and a few more. The first thing will be a urine test, it will be for drugs and to check for blood. I was 55 years old and with ECO for 20 years when I went. Also, ECO BP standards are lower than the CG requirements, If I’m not mistaken it has to be lower than 140/90.[/QUOTE]

Did they perform a pulmonary function test? I’m curious to find out how they treat asthma for deckhand applicants on the river. Thanks!

Yes you will have to take a deep breath and blow into a tube. I don’t know about other companies, ECO the will test pulmonary function.
You don’t have to have perfect lung function, you will be graded and there is a cut off point.

[QUOTE=chefedemaquina;133663]Yes you will have to take a deep breath and blow into a tube. I don’t know about other companies, ECO the will test pulmonary function.
You don’t have to have perfect lung function, you will be graded and there is a cut off point.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the info. I have very mild asthma and don’t suffer from attacks…a remnant of childhood bronchitis, I guess. I think I tested at 75-80% a few years ago…not good enough for the USCG when I tried to enlist. Thanks again!

So you can’t ship with ECO if you have one cavity?

It doesnt sound like it.

Cavity or filling? And root canals being a disqualifier?

Can’t be.

I can see being in need of a filling or root canal can delay your cert until the procedure is complete. After all, you don’t want to be layed out with a severe toothache 5000 miles from nowhere, but once these issues are addressed you should be good to go.

Can someone please clarify?

[QUOTE=Doodlebug;133296]Got it, to work in the GOM for a supplyboat company you must be a tri-athlete. Run a 6-7 minute mile, Have worked 25 years on board a supply vessel. DP 7 on your license, be 34 years old. And now have movie star teeth.

sarcasm intended.[/QUOTE]

Dat deres funny I don’t care who you are.

I’ve asked this before and got mixed reviews. I can’t pass the Ishihara (colored dot test) but can pass any of the other coast guard approved color vision tests. Will ECO only allow the Ishihara or will they allow the other coast guard approved tests? Anybody have any experience with this? I have a medical cert from the coast guard and no limits on my watch standing.

You should call down and ask. Maybe you can see a local eye Dr and get any supporting paperwork that shows you are good to go. Definitely bring your CG approval cert.

Why don’t you go to a good eye specialist and get some advice?

Doesn’t that new medical deal protect you from this?

[QUOTE=KrustySalt;134025]Doesn’t that new medical deal protect you from this?[/QUOTE]

The new USCG medical certificates coupled with the ADA should protect us for excessive company physicals, but they don’t yet. I predict that long after I am dead the courts will give mariners some protection from this nonsense.