Other news from this ISM News Update:

• Changes to the POLAR CODE as of January 2026
• Handling of expired medicines on board according to MARPOL
• Areas of attention for ships under the Dutch flag
• Revised IMO measures for entry into confined spaces on board ships
• Key interpretations & positions of the NSI regarding SOLAS Chapter III – Rescue Equipment and Arrangements
• Explanation of NSI certificates

Guidelines on medical equipment, medical training and medical certificate for fishermen

For fishing vessels, particularly cutters making shorter voyages (often in the North Sea and Wadden Sea), the requirements for medical equipment (medicine kit) have been relaxed compared to the general requirements for seagoing vessels. Cutters can suffice with a ‘more limited’ medicine kit, whereby certain superfluous items (such as specific malaria tablets) are no longer required to be on board.

See: Annex 5 of the Regulation on the Safety of Seagoing Vessels for the requirements regarding the contents of the medicine kit.

The guidance can be found here.

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