Canadian Ship Medical Chest Regulation

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Regulation at a glance

Last verified · 31 August 2026
StatusMaritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2010-120), Part 6 — Medical Care.
Applies toFederally regulated Canadian maritime workplaces and vessels covered by the Regulations. Voyage type determines when a medicine chest, medical equipment and the required medical guide must be carried.
Medical chest basisThe Regulations require the latest edition of the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships on specified voyages and require supplies based on the latest WHO recommendations, adjusted for the voyage and persons on board.
Regulatory relationNational Regulation + WHO-based; the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships is expressly required as the onboard reference.

Part 6 also requires the medicine chest and its contents to be inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months. Operators should verify the current consolidated regulation and any vessel-specific requirements.

Disclaimer: This page is a practical overview and not legal advice. Always check the current flag-state notices and vessel-specific requirements.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

01 · Confirm applicability
Federally regulated Canadian maritime workplaces and vessels covered by the Regulations. Voyage type determines when a medicine chest, medical equipment and the required medical guide must be carried.
02 · Select the correct scale
The Regulations require the latest edition of the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships on specified voyages and require supplies based on the latest WHO recommendations, adjusted for the voyage and persons on board.
03 · Maintain compliant stores
Keep medicines, medical equipment and first-aid supplies complete, in date and ready for use.
04 · Verify before inspection
Check the current official sources and vessel particulars before supply, replenishment or certification.
Regulatory framework
National Regulation; the WHO guide is expressly required as a reference.
The flag-state’s current legislation and notices determine the final vessel-specific requirements.
!
Dangerous goods & IMDG

Check cargo-specific medical-store requirements

Where dangerous goods are carried, review cargo-specific medical-store requirements and the current IMDG Code alongside this flag-state framework. The applicable flag-state rules remain controlling.

Open official IMO IMDG page ↗

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Keep the statutory basis and vessel-specific working records together so the medical chest can be checked efficiently on board.

Primary legislation
Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2010-120), Part 6 — Medical Care.
Vessel-specific scale
Applicable medical-store requirements
The Regulations require the latest edition of the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships on specified voyages and require supplies based on the latest WHO recommendations, adjusted for the voyage and persons on board.
On-board working file
Inventory, expiry and vessel details
Maintain a current vessel-specific overview for replenishment and compliance checks.
✓
Compliance evidence
Inspection and certificate evidence
Retain the inspection, certificate or verification evidence required by the applicable flag-state rules.

HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP

Seafarma can translate the applicable requirements into a practical vessel-specific supply, inspection and delivery workflow.

Scale review Identify the applicable medical-store framework and vessel category.
Supply and replenishment Prepare medicines, equipment and first-aid supplies for the applicable scale.
Inspection preparation Support inventory checks and readiness for the applicable inspection process.
Ship delivery & agent coordination Arrange worldwide delivery to the vessel and coordinate ETA, berth, agent details and handover instructions.

Dangerous Goods

When the vessel is carrying dangerous goods, the medical chest should also be in accordance with the following regulation:

get in touch

Seafarma can supply medical chests tailored to the Canadian requirements and voyage profile. Final contents must be checked against the current consolidated regulation and any vessel-specific requirements.

Contact us