ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT A PLAIN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION OF THE COAST GUARD REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO MARITIME DRUG TESTING.

While we have expended an extensive amount of space in the past, on explaining the maritime drug laws, the number of questions we receive from those who have just learned of it indicates that we have a lot more explaining to do.

PRE- EMPLOYMENT
1. Direction and procedures for implementation of the pre-employment chemical testing program (46 CFR 16.210). Those having been tested under a pre-employment or periodic program in the past six months, or covered under another random program for two months out of the last six months may be exempt from this element.) If required, the start up pre-employment test carries a one time fee of $25 when enrolling in the APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit for $49.

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ACCIDENT
3. All persons directly involved in a serious marine incident (accident, oil spill, etc. ) must be tested for drugs and alcohol as required by 46 CFR 4.06. Since the APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit is being offered to U.S.A.domestically operated marine enterprises and not to vessels with unrestricted ocean or overseas route, it is assumed that collection kits for drug and alcohol are obtainable within 24 hours from the time of incident. This will preclude the necessity for carrying collection kits onboard. Instructions on the regulations, and information on additional costs for this coverage, are included in the APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit.

Post Accident Procedres For Drug Testing

American Professional Captains Association Drug Consortium (APCA-DC) provides information on collection sites for post - accident or for - cause situations. Since this involves accidents and not pre - planned events, there is no formal system that can be standing -by every hour of the night on every dock in the country. For that reason APCA-DC does not require its clients to prepay for the service.
All of APCA-DC collection sites will be available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on weekdays. An emergency number is provided for night and weekend emergencies to offer guidance in obtaining a drug screen that may be required by the Coast Guard. In some cases, APCA-DC may be able to reach a collector in the immediate area to provide the service.
Since this is not a paid or pre-planned service, it may be more advantageous to report to the emergency room at the local hospital and ask that they perform the test when required by the Coast Guard.

When using the APCA-DC service for post accident during normal hours,
call 1-800-468-7447.
and at other times
1-800-599-4889. Please provide the name and contact number of the Coast Guard person requesting the test.
For after hours and weekend accidents call
(727) 599-4888

SAP Contact Information: 1-800-468-7447.

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Documents

APCA Documentation

 APCA Contract
 Controlled Substance Poster
 Controlled Substance Policy
 Controlled Substance Information
 Serious Marine Incident Poster Of Information

CFR Regulations

 NEW - Drug Testing Regulation
 46 CFR Part 16
Review All For Training
 46 CFR Part 4 (Marine Accident)
Review Section 4 - 4.09 for training.
 46 CFR Part 5

Drug Awareness And Training- Courtesy NIDA

 Cocaine and Crack

 Inhalants

 Heroin

 LSD

 Marijuana

 Methamphetamine

 Ecstacy

Other Documents

 Drug Testing Form

 License Renewal Checklist

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REASONABLE CAUSE
4. Reasonable cause testing (46 CFR 16.250) requires that any crew members, including officers, who are reasonably suspected of using a dangerous drug will be tested. Timing for, logging of, and procedures to be followed are supplied in the APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit.

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RANDOM
5. Marine employers shall establish programs for the chemical testing for dangerous drugs on a random basis (46 CFR 16.230) of crew members (including licensed officers) on both inspected and uninspected vessels. They may enroll in a program offered by a consortium which includes random testing.

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APPROVED LAB
The complete program as offered will use DOT and DHHS approved testing laboratories and their collection stations (49 CFR 40).

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MRO
APCA will use selected Medical Review Officers (MRO) meeting the qualifications of 49 CFR 40.33.

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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
In addition to the stated requirements for testing in the five categories, each marine employer is required to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which has two elements; 1. education and 2. training.

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EAP EDUCATION
1. EAP education must include display and distribution of informational material including community service hotline telephone number as well as employer's policy regarding drug and alcohol use aboard the vessel. The APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit includes a selection of pamphlets dealing with substance abuse at work, the Drug Free Workplace Act, EAP's, and a policy decal indicating Zero Tolerance for drugs aboard the vessel. National hotline numbers for crew member drug assistance are supplied in wallet size cards for convenience. Local numbers of drug assistance agencies may be added to the card by employer.

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EAP TRAINING
2. An EAP training program must be conducted for the employer's crew members and supervisory personnel. The APCA Maritime Drug Program Compliance Kit
contains brochures and publications that include; the effects and consequences of drug and alcohol use on personal health, safety in the work environment; the manifestations and behavioral signs that may indicate drug and alcohol use and abuse. Compliance forms to log this training are in the kit.
This all inclusive package is undergoing Coast Guard review to assure compliance with the letter of the law and all recent interpretations of the regulations. Although many mariners may feel intimidated by this package, it is, by Coast Guard mandate, a requirement for compliance with the drug laws for the maritime industry .

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PUNISHMENT
The one unsaid element to this program is failing a drug test or refusing one of the elements of thetests stated herein will lead to revocation of license or Z-card.

Included in this website is a print outof the regulations pertaining to drug testing proceedures.

46 CFR Part 16
46 CFR Part 4 (Marine Accident)
46 CFR Part 5

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