At the Milwaukee class we got a good briefing on Code of Federal regulations and drug testing.

If you are an active mariner and need t carry a drug card, make sure who ever does the drug testing can do in over the weekend or make such arrangements. If yo  have a serious marine incident you must have the drug test done within 32 hrs. Period. Waiting until Monday will get you into some serious troubles.

Here is a little more info on the Direct Observation for providing Samples for testing.

Here is a reminder that effective RIGHT NOW!!  Direct Observation collections are mandatory for all DOT Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up drug testing.

DOTs 49 CFR Part 40 directly observed collections are authorized and required WHENEVER

The specimen temperature is outside the acceptable range OF 90-100.

The specimen shows signs of tampering ~ unusual color / odor / characteristic.

The collector finds an item in the employees pockets or wallet which appears to be brought into the site to contaminate a specimen  or the process.

The collector notes conduct suggesting tampering.

The Medical Review Officer (MRO) orders the direct observation because:

The employee has no legitimate medical reason for certain atypical laboratory results

(or)

The employees REQUESTED RETEST OF A positive, refusal, [adulterated / substituted] test result had to be cancelled because the split specimen test could not be performed

FOLLOWING A POSITIVE RESULT all REQUIRED Follow-Up   & Return-to-Duty  tests.


Visit the DOT website for updates to the following downloadable documents. I suggest if you are involved with drug/alchol testing in any manner, you take a look at this site. Capt Gary

have  http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/index.html

Here you will find:

What Employees Need to Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

What Employers Need to Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

DOT's Direct Observation Procedures Poster Urine Specimen Collection Guidelines

The Substance Abuse Professionals Guidelines Drug and Alcohol Testing Rule [49 CFR Part 40]

Here are several interesting excerpts from other letters

MarEx Notes:

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General issues a report that says ‘critical programs intended to support small vessel security may not be operating effectively.’ Small vessels are categorized as any watercraft of less than 300 gross tons and used for recreational or commercial purposes, regardless of method of propulsion.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that it recognizes the need to address the threats that small vessels pose to the United States. According to DHS, small vessels include commercial fishing vessels, recreational boats and yachts, towing vessels, uninspected passenger vessels, and any other personal or commercial vessels involved in U.S. or foreign voyages. With 95,000 miles of shoreline, 300,000 square miles of waterways, 360 ports of call, 12,000 marinas, and an estimated 17 million small vessels presently operating in U.S. waters, it is extremely difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

"So is there more regulations adn restriction coming down for the boating community??"

Soundings Boat Shop offer these winterizing tips

The complete guide to winterizing

For boaters who live in colder climates but aren't making the trip down the ICW to a warm destination, it's time to get going with decommissioning.

http://www.soundingsonline.com/component/content/article/78/242272

NMMA report details decline in boat registrations

Recreational boat registrations in the U.S. decreased about 1.4 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association's 2008 U.S. Recreational Boat Registrations Statistics report.

A total of 12.8 million vessels were registered by U.S. states or documented by the Coast Guard in the U.S. in 2008, compared to 13 million in 2007.

Using data for new powerboat registrations compiled by Statistical Surveys, NMMA estimates there were 270,500 new (model year 2008) powerboats registered by U.S. states during the year. Approximately 400,000 powerboats were retired from the recreational boating fleet in 2008.

Any Comments please make them on our blog

take care and safe boating

Gary

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