(1) Subject to this regulation, a seafarer shall not work on a ship unless that seafarer holds of a valid medical fitness certificate issued under these Regulations.
(2) A seafarer who contravenes subregulation (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to both.
(3) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), a seafarer —
(a) who has served at sea on a Saint Lucian ship at any time during one year immediately preceding the coming into force of these Regulations may continue his or her seagoing employment without a medical fitness certificate for a period of one year from the date of commencement of these Regulations;
(b) whose medical fitness certificate expires while he or she is in a location where medical examination in accordance with these Regulations is impracticable, may continue to be employed without a medical fitness certificate for a period not exceeding 3 months from the date of expiry of the medical fitness certificate.