$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.
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.
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Have a good weekend. Best regards