| GENERAL INFORMATION
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| KEYWORDS
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Marine medical certificate, epilepsy, restrictions, medication
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| FILE NO.
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MH-0376-21
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| SECTOR (Marine or Aviation)
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Marine
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| SPECIFIC JOB
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Navigation officer (Canadian Coast Guard)
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| DIAGNOSIS (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
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Epilepsy
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| REVIEW
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| DATE OF DETERMINATION
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March 1, 2016
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| MEMBER
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Dr. Christopher Brooks
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| DETERMINATION
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The Minister’s decision is confirmed.
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| REASONS FOR THE DETERMINATION
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Issuance of a restricted marine medical certificate (MMC) – “no lone watchkeeping duties” and “restricted to CCG vessels” — The applicant has suffered from epilepsy since 1988 and has been advised to take Dilantin medication for life. Following his latest seizure in 2013, several limitations were placed upon his MMC and a requirement to carry his medications on his person at all times. The applicant claims that as a result of the “no watchkeeping” restriction, his career is on hold and he cannot advance in his profession. He submits that the risk of a further seizure occurring is very low and therefore wishes that Transport Canada remove the restriction. The Minister pointed out that the applicant, with an unlimited MMC, could be posted to either the east or west coast to a deep-water vessel that could sail into international waters; if he had a convulsion, medical assistance may be many hours away. So, in order to give the applicant’s condition sufficient time to demonstrate stability, the five-year seizure-free limitation is very reasonable. From the evidence, the member believes that the applicant may be at a low risk of a seizure, but not at a very low risk. The applicant is certainly not out of the woods yet, and the member concurs with the Minister’s decision to restrict him to “no lone watchkeeping”, and to require him to always keep his medication on his person. This is a more liberal decision than he would have received had the ILO/IMO guidelines been applied.
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| APPEAL
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| DATE OF DECISION
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| MEMBERS
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| DECISION
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| REASONS FOR THE DECISION
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| OTHER/COMMENTS
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