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$7,500 per day fines for failure to comply with USCG’s drug test program

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has reminded shipowners and operators that they must have a valid random drug test program in place for all ships calling in the US. Failure to comply, the USCG has warned, may result in civil penalties of up to $7,500 per day, per violation.

The random chemical testing program the USCG said was designed “to prevent drug misuse as a causative factor in marine casualties”.

“Marine employers, sponsoring organizations (ME/SO) and mariners subject to chemical testing are reminded of their responsibilities to ensure random chemical testing programs are both conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements and achieve their intended purpose of deterring, detecting and preventing drug abuse within the maritime industry,” the coast guard said in a statement.

Details of what is required are available by clicking here.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. Thank you for pointing same out. However we checked with a dedicated agency and they replied:
    From what I understand this is only for US companies with US flag vessels that are conducting DOT drug screening as their random drug and alcohol testing program. Their crewmembers hold licenses issued by the United States Coast Guard.

    Foreign flag ships and foreign crewmembers would not be subject to this type of program.
    +
    Have a good weekend. Best regards

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