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Radio medische dienst

KNRM offers worldwide assistance

Medical Assistance at Sea – Radio Medische Dienst (RMD)

A core task of the KNRM is to provide medical assistance through the Radio Medische Dienst (Radio Medical Service – RMD). If someone on board is injured or ill, the KNRM offers free worldwide medical advice via the RMD.

The captain of a seagoing vessel or yacht can request assistance at any time. Communication can be conducted in Dutch or English.

Prepare Contact Prepare Contact with the Radio Medical Service

You can contact the Radio Medical Service (RMD) in various ways, depending on the ship’s location. All essential information about procedures and how the service works can be found in our brochure: “Radio Medische Dienst”

Consult with the RMD

Follow the step-by-step plan below to send an email to the RMD doctor.
  1. non-urgent assistance: e-mail 00@rmd.knrm.nl
    ➡️Messages are processed from 08:00 (NL time). 

  2. Urgent assistance: e-mail 32@rmd.knrm.nl
    ➡️ Immediate alert sent to the doctor, including at night.

  3. Life-Threatening Assistance: e-mail 38@rmd.knrm.nl. Always call the Netherlands Coastguard: +31 88 958 4020
    ➡️ Maximum alert sent to the doctor, day and night.

  1. Subject line: Always include the words: Advice – RMD – KNRM
    ➡️ This ensures the email passes the KNRM spam filter.

  2. White-list: Make sure the RMD email addresses are on the ship’s or shipping company’s white-list.
    ➡️ Otherwise, the ship will not receive the doctor’s response.

  3. Do not contact the shipping company with the doctor in cc after receiving medical advice.
    ➡️ The doctor will receive unnecessary alerts, even at night.
    ➡️ Logistical information is usually not relevant for the doctor.

  4. ⚠️Language skills of the contactperson: The contact person must be able to speak and write Dutch or English clearly.

➡️ Always use the official RMA questionnaire – not one from a training institute.
➡️ Complete the form in full to avoid unnecessary follow-up questions and delays.

⚠️ Note:
• Describe symptoms related to illness (D3) or injury (C2/C7) as accurately as possible
• Include the patient’s nationality (important for possible evacuation)
• If possible, attach clear photos (JPEG format, max. email size 10 MB)
– Ensure good lighting
– Include both close-up and overview photos

The RMD kindly requests a short follow-up once the advice has been acted upon.
➡️ This helps improve the quality of medical support.
➡️ Again, include the words: KNRM, RMD, and Advice
➡️ Please answer the following questions:

• Did the advice have the desired effect?
• How is the patient doing now?
• How did the repatriation go?
• What was the hospital’s diagnosis?

RMD-doctors

Medical advice

n case of emergency, RMD doctors can be reached 24/7 through the Netherlands Coast Guard. These doctors perform this vital role in addition to their daily work as general practitioners, and they are familiar with life at sea.

Based on reported symptoms or the completed RMA Questionnaire (from the Medical Handbook for Shipping), they can make a remote diagnosis and provide clear medical advice on what steps to take.

In many situations, the crew can perform first aid themselves. The doctor will guide them step-by-step through the necessary treatment.

If further care is needed, the patient may need to be examined at a hospital upon arrival in port. Where specialist help is required, RMD doctors can consult medical specialists within their professional network.

Medical evacuation

If the victim's condition is so serious that urgent disembarkation is required, a medical evacuation will be initiated.
The Netherlands Coast Guard coordinates the evacuation in consultation with the RMD doctor.

- In Dutch waters, evacuation is carried out by KNRM lifeboats or a SAR (Search and Rescue) helicopter, depending on the situation.

- In international waters, the nearest available rescue service is contacted.

Be well prepared, download and keep the RMA Questionnaire on board.

Medical evacuation | Westkapelle | Short documentary in Dutch

Obligation of the national government

The 24/7 worldwide provision of medical advice and support at sea is a responsibility of the Dutch government, based on international agreements. This task has been delegated to the KNRM, which carries it out through the Radio Medische Dienst (RMD).

- ll requests for medical assistance are handled by the RMD.

- The RMD is intended only for urgent and unforeseen medical situations.
Shipping companies and operators are responsible for prevention, health information, and vaccinations.

Go out to sea well prepared

In practice, it is not uncommon for onboard medical facilities to be incomplete or not in working order.
This can make it more difficult for the RMD doctor to provide effective assistance.

Go out to sea well prepared!
The tips below will help you ensure you're ready:

  • 01

    Ensure the medicine chest is fully stocked and that all medical equipment is in working order.

  • 02

    Ensure that everyone on board knows where the RMD questionnaire and medical supplies are stored.

  • 03

    Discuss the procedure and regularly practice how to request and follow medical advice.

  • 04

    Do not depart with a sick crew member on board.

  • 05

    Ensure that the ship’s doctor, captain, or mate is aware of everyone’s medication on board, including correct dosages.

  • 06

    Ensure that all crew members visit a dentist in time and maintain good oral health.
    Unnecessary dental infections often lead to avoidable use of antibiotics.

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