Maritime medical consulting, from the physicians who run the programs
- Named physician, not a call centre
- Cited to the governing rule
- No subscription required
What is maritime medical consulting?
Definition
Four questions operators bring us most
Controlled substances program design
Whether 21 CFR 1301.25 even applies to your operation, whether you need a DEA-registered medical officer or the master requisition route, and what records must sit aboard versus at the principal office.[1] See Controlled Substances.
Medicine chest scope and gap review
What your flag state and route actually require, measured against MLC 2006 Standard A4.1 and the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships, and where a US fishing vessel falls under 46 CFR 28.210 instead.[2] See MedChest.
Flag-state and route interpretation
Requirements change by flag, by voyage length and by persons aboard. MLC A4.1(4)(b) puts a doctor aboard when 100 or more persons sail an international voyage of more than three days.[3] We read your specific fleet, not a generic checklist.
Inspection readiness review
A physician walks your existing records the way an inspector would, then tells you plainly what would not hold up. Read the 21 CFR 1301.25 walkthrough to see the standard we apply.
Three ways operators use us, and what each produces
| Engagement | Scope | What you receive | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | One fleet, one route, one question | A written finding: what applies to you, what is missing, ranked by exposure | An operator who suspects a gap but cannot name it |
| Program build | Design the controlled substances or medicine chest program from zero | Registration path, record structure, reporting calendar, chest scope | A new operation, a new flag, or a first DEA registration |
| Ongoing advisory | A physician on call for compliance questions as they arise | Answers tied to the governing rule, not opinion | A fleet that already has a program and needs it kept current |
What this service is, and what it is not
- What consulting covers
- Which rules apply to your fleet, by flag, route and persons aboard
- Controlled substances program design, registration path and record structure
- Medicine chest scope mapped to your flag state and voyage profile
- Inspection readiness review of the records you already hold
- Written findings ranked by exposure, citing the governing rule
- What it does not include
- A 24-hour clinical hotline. Every vessel already has a free right to radio and satellite medical advice under MLC 2006 A4.1(4)(d)[3]
- Crew fitness examinations. For certification see the USCG National Maritime Center
- Equipment or medication sales. We advise on scope, we do not sell the kit
- Legal advice. We read the medical regulation, not your charter or contracts
A named board-certified emergency physician
Ann Jarris, MD, MBA, FACEP
Answers buyers and search engines look for
What is maritime medical consulting?
Advisory work that tells a vessel operator which medical regulations apply to their fleet and what to do about them. In our case it covers controlled substances under 21 CFR 1301.25, medicine chest scope under MLC 2006 A4.1 and flag-state rules, and inspection readiness. It is advice and program design, not staffed medical care. See our full service list.
Do I need a DEA-registered medical officer for my vessels?
It depends on your operation. 21 CFR 1301.25(b) requires a medical officer to be a state-licensed physician, employed by the owner or operator, and DEA-registered. A consultant physician is not employed, so that route does not satisfy it. Where no officer is accessible, paragraph (d) sets out the master requisition process instead. Our Controlled Substances service covers both paths.
How often must a ship medicine chest be inspected?
MLC 2006 Guideline B4.1.1 expects inspection at regular intervals and at least every 12 months. Contents are commonly mapped to the WHO International Medical Guide for Ships. US commercial fishing vessels have their own requirement at 46 CFR 28.210. See MedChest.
Is this the same as a telehealth subscription?
No, and that is deliberate. We do not run a 24-hour hotline. This is independent advice from emergency physicians about your medical compliance position, with no equipment or subscription attached. If you need clinical advice at sea, MLC 2006 A4.1(4)(d) entitles every vessel to free radio and satellite medical advice through national TMAS services.
Who actually does the consulting?
Board-certified emergency physicians at Discovery Health MD, led by Ann Jarris MD, MBA, FACEP. The company was founded in Seattle in 2016 by emergency physicians and has run vessel medical programs since 2017. Meet the physicians.
Can you review a program we already have?
Yes, that is the assessment engagement. A physician reviews your existing records, registrations and chest against the governing rules and returns a written finding ranked by exposure. Send us your fleet and flag and we will scope it.
Tell us your fleet, flag and route
- ✓ Board-certified emergency physicians
- ✓ Every finding cited to the rule
- ✓ Seattle based, operating since 2016
- ✓ No subscription, no equipment sales
Our other two services
Controlled Substances
DEA-compliant management for vessels under 21 CFR 1301.25: medical officer registration, records and both annual reports.
MedChest
Ship medicine chest build, audit and restock mapped to your flag state under MLC 2006 and the WHO guide.
References
- 21 CFR 1301.25, Registration regarding ocean vessels, aircraft, and other entities. eCFR, verified August 2026.
- 46 CFR 28.210, Fishing vessel first aid equipment and training. eCFR, verified August 2026. Contents guidance: WHO International Medical Guide for Ships.
- Maritime Labour Convention 2006, Standard A4.1 and Guideline B4.1.1, medical care on board and free medical advice by radio or satellite. ILO, verified August 2026.
- USCG National Maritime Center, mariner medical certification. Verified August 2026.
- DEA Diversion Control Division, registration and reporting. Verified August 2026.