All of our Coast Guard drug testing Tampa Bay, FL services are analyzed by SAMHSA Certified Laboratory and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) in accordance with U.S Coast Guard drug testing regulations.

The staff of Smart Drug Testing is trained and certified in administering a Coast Guard drug test at all Tampa Bay, FL locations and our Coast Guard drug testing Tampa Bay, FL services are provided in a courteous and professional manner.

• Pre-Employment Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer must conduct a drug test prior to employing any crew member. The prospective employee must pass the test before employed, not merely take the test.

Pre-employment testing waivers – A prospective employee need not be tested if that person has proof that, within the previous six months, he/she passed any Coast Guard-required drug test, or has, during the previous six months, been subject to Coast Guard required random testing for at least 60 days and has not failed or refused a test. “Being subject to random testing” does not mean the individual has to have actually been tested, but has been eligible to be tested. An employer is not required to exempt prospective employees from pre-employment testing.

• Random Drug Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer must establish a program for random drug testing of:

(1) crew members on inspected vessels who:

a. occupy a position, or perform the duties and functions of a position, required by the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection;
b. perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen required by Coast Guard regulations; or,
c. are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies.

(2) crew members on uninspected vessels who:

a. are required by law or regulation to hold a Coast Guard issued license to perform their duties;
b. perform duties and functions directly related to the safe operation of the vessel,
c. perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen required by Coast Guard regulations; or,
d. are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies.

• Definition of Random

Random, for these regulations, means that each of the crew members has a substantially equal chance of being selected. An employer may randomly select vessels, rather than individuals, testing all applicable crew members. A crew member’s substantially equal chance of selection must remain throughout their employment. This means that you cannot allow periods when an employee is “free” from chance of selection, or allow high-risk/low-risk selection periods to exist. The dates of testing must also be random. For example: randomly picking names each payday is not acceptable, because the date is predictable and the employees could “beat” the test.

Testing Rate – The annual rate of testing must not be less than 50%. No other tests, such as post accident, can be counted toward the 50%.

• Reasonable Cause Drug Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer shall require any crew member who is reasonably suspected of using a dangerous drug to be chemically tested for dangerous drugs. When the marine employer determines that reasonable cause exists, the individual must be informed of that fact and directed to test as soon as practicable. An entry concerning the basis of reasonable cause, the direction to test given the crew member and any refusal or other response should be documented. A log entry must be made whenever an official ship’s log is required to be carried.

Definition of “reasonable cause” – Reasonable cause means a probability exists, based on some evidence that a crew member is intoxicated by or has used drugs. Generally the following elements must be present to have “reasonable cause” to require drug testing:

(1) Direct observation of the suspected crew member and/or any physical evidence by two persons in supervisory positions. This means the supervisors must personally see the evidence for themselves. (2) There must be some physical, behavioral, or performance indication of use or intoxication. Indicators include but are not limited to an individual’s speech, behavior or appearance. Drugs and drug paraphernalia in clothing and personal property, or concealed in staterooms or elsewhere may also provide reasonable cause since these too are physical indicators. Smoke, breath and body odors may provide evidence. Slurred and incoherent speech, lack of coordination and balance, nodding and dozing off on watch, inability to report for duty, frequent or extended unexplained absences from assigned duties, sudden and wide changes of mood or attitude and many other observable variables are examples of some conditions, which could constitute reasonable cause. Since these circumstances and conditions could be caused by illness, injury, or other factors, as well as drugs, the decision to test for reasonable cause must be made with prudence and common sense.

• Post-Accident Drug & Alcohol Testing

Regulatory Requirements – Post-accident drug and alcohol testing regulations apply to all U.S. commercial vessels operating anywhere in the world and all foreign vessels operating upon the navigable waters of the U.S. When a marine casualty occurs, the marine employer needs to make a timely, good faith determination as to whether the occurrence is or is likely to become a serious marine incident. See 46 CFR 4.06.) A marine employer shall require all persons (not limited to crew members) on board the vessel(s) whom the employer determines to be directly involved in a serious marine incident to be chemically tested for dangerous drugs and alcohol. Note: This regulation also applies to crew members aboard foreign flag vessels involved in a serious marine incident that occurs in U.S. waters.

For More information on USCG Drug testing Regulations – Click Here
For more Information on Marine employers responsibilities   – Click here