USCG Compliance

Current Drug Testing Random Rates:

The USCG random rates for drug testing are set at a minimum of 50% for covered employees. Covered employees include any employee that is on board a vessel acting under the authority of a license, certificate or registry, or a merchant mariner’s document. Additionally, any employee engaged or employed on board a U.S. owned vessel is considered a regulated employee.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) maintains policies and standards through the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC). The CG-CVC helps to maintain Marine safety and security, with policy experts in domestic, foreign, fishing vessels, and merchant mariner credentials.

Under the USCG, it is the Director of Inspections and Compliance's (CG-5PC) job to develop and maintain policies, standards, and programs for the safety of vessels, facilities, and employees and prevention of incidents. Policy development and management applies to:

• Recreational boating
• Foreign and domestic commercial vessels
• Ports and facilities
• Vessel documentation
• Marine Casualty Investigation

To help employers comply with complicated requirements, DISA’s USCG compliance services include:

• Audit Support
• Drug & Alcohol Testing (Pre-employment, Periodic, Random, Post Accident, and Serious Marine Incident/SMI)
• Quick Turnaround Times
• Custom Reporting
• Training (Reasonable Suspicion and Employee Workplace Substance Abuse)
• Management Information System (MIS) Reporting

Importance of Maintaining Compliance

• If an employer is non-compliant for more than 30 days, they will face one or more of the following repercussions:
• Letter of Warning
• A cease of operations from the Captain of the Port Order
• Suspension or revocation of license
• Civil penalties – $5,500 per day per violation