Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I get paid?

We offer our doctors a highly competitive salary package that equates to a shoreside equivalent of between £65,000 - £71,000 per 243 days worked. It comprises of a basic monthly salary and a percentage of the professional services revenue. All doctors living outside of the UK are paid in US dollars.

Will my salary be tax-free?

As a seafarer, under UK tax law, you may be entitled to claim your tax back if you have been out of the UK for more than 183 days in a year. A NT (no tax) code can also be granted against your earnings.

Do I get paid during my leave?

No. Ships' doctors are paid a consolidated salary for each month served onboard.

What does the remuneration package include?

The remuneration package includes pension benefits, life insurance and long term disability insurance and entitlement to join the company pension scheme. All flights to and from vessels are arranged and paid for by the company and there are no onboard costs for food and accommodation, laundry etc.

How long will I be at sea for?

Tours of duty are typically of four months duration and are followed by 4-8 weeks leave which results in approximately 243 days of work per year.

Do I get a choice about which ship I work on?

We aim to give all doctors an equal and fair opportunity to work on a variety of ships in the fleet. We try to be as flexible as possible to meet their requirements and will take into account any reasonable requests.

Can my partner or family travel with me?

After your first two months at sea, you would be eligible to apply for relatives' travel, which would allow immediate family members to join you onboard for a period of time.

Can I use the passenger facilities?

As a ship's doctor, you will experience the joys of cruising. This includes visiting exotic ports in some of the world's most desirable locations and taking advantage of all onboard facilities including use of the passengers' gym, spa, theatres and bars.

How can I keep in touch with home?

Email is the easiest and cheapest way to stay in touch and most of our ships have Cyber Cafes onboard. Telephone calls to and from the ship are relatively expensive as they go via the satellite.

How many people are in the medical team?

An average medical team is made up of two doctors and a team of up to four nurses. This number varies depending on the size of the ship and there are some single doctor ships within the fleet.

What qualifications/experience do I need?

Basic level entry requirements start with sufficient experience in emergency medicine and general practice. Current full GMC registration and a valid ALS certificate are also required. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are essential to this role as well as self-motivation and the ability to work as a team player.

What equipment do you have onboard?

A typical medical department onboard comprises of two doctors' offices, nursing station, treatment room, and a laboratory. There are critical care rooms with cardiac monitoring facilities, patient wards and a well-stocked pharmacy. All ships are well equipped with anaesthesic machine, x-ray facilities, and even teleradiology and telemedicine facilities, and satellite link-up so doctors can liaise with colleagues around the world.

Will I receive any Professional Development whilst onboard?

We are committed to the continuing professional development of our sea-based doctors. As well as a monthly onboard CPD programme, we offer five days of paid professional training per year to be taking during leave periods. All expenses, including course fees, text books, hotel and travel are covered by the company.

What are the promotion prospects?

Promotion to senior doctor can be fairly rapid (sometimes after 12-24 months from joining) and is dependent upon both your clinical and managerial skills as well as consistently good performance reviews. The salary for this position is substantially more and air travel is business class.