23.1 Medical stores should be carried in accordance
with the requirements set out in a Merchant Shipping Notice, currently
MSN 1768 (M+F). This requires medical stores according to the distance
from shore that a vessel operates. For vessels in Area Categories
2,3,4,5 and 6 Category C stores are required, as listed in Annex 2. For vessels in Area Category 1, Category
B stores are required, and for Area Category 0, Category A stores
are required. For details of the requirements for Category A and B
stores reference should be made to MSN 1768 (M+F). For vessels operating
in categories O and 1, a full copy of MSN 1768 should be carried with
the medical stores. The notice can be obtained from the MCA website
at www.mcga.gov.uk or from any Marine Office. Vessels operating in
all other categories need carry Annex 6 and 7 of that notice relating
to the use of the stores themselves. The owners/managing agent should
retain a full copy at the shore base for checking purposes.
23.2 The notes to the MSN explain the flexibility
available, under the MSN, in terms of the selection of medicines and
medical equipment to be carried. Where, because of the particular
type of vessel or operation, and based on a risk assessment and professional
medical advice, it is considered impractical or unsafe to carry a
specific item, this may be omitted. Where any item is omitted, this
should be stated on the medical stores, with a note indicating the
specific item that is omitted and that its omission is based on risk
assessment and medical advice.