What medicines can be found in a ship’s medical chest?

Every ship in the world carries an inventory of medicines. (termed “medical chest”)

What is inside that inventory depends on the regulations of each vessel’s Flag state. Usually, there is a distinction between ocean-going vessels and vessels that sail closer to the coast.

This list is not exclusive and many companies decide to add additional equipment through their company’s ISM. After all, you will notice that vital items such as a defibrillator or telemedicine monitor are absent from the “required” list.

Usually, the lists, which are provided by the company that arranged the medicine chest, are split into 3 parts.

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The first is narcotics. These medicines are deemed “narcotics” by the Flag state and have to be kept in the custody of the Master, locked away from the rest of the medicine chest.

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The second part is the normal medicines, that are usually stored in the ship’s hospital or medical chest.

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The third part is the paramedics and the various equipment that the vessel needs to have.