Drug Testing Program

[Tortuga James]

I thought there was already a thread about this subject, but I looked and couldn't find it.

My #1 mate is in college and can't work all the time until summer. My back up mate ( a friend who fills in for the free diving) broke his hip and is out of commission until April or May. Both are on my drug program.

I have a couple of charters coming up with no mate. A friend who is a mate on another crew boat offered to fill in, but he will not be available enough to justify being on my program, but he is on the other boat's program. I have been told you have to be on the boat's program you are mating on. How would you guys handle this situation.

This regulation really puts us ops in a bad spot. How can we get a fill in mate in short notice without straying from compliance?

 

[divezonescuba]

Sounds like I may have to enroll my wife.

At least I don't have to pay for her liability insurance as a crew member.

 

[Tortuga James]

I think a courtesy visit to meet my local USCG MSO is in order. That way I can just cut to the chase on all of my unanswered questions.

 

[SPEARIT]

Ken
Who is your program with? If it's the Maritime Consortium, and the new crewmember is current in his program; you can fax/email in the form and proof of compliance/test. They will add him to your program and send you an email for your records till you get the new crewlist.
Tom
I should be in Morehead in the nest week or so, you still buying lunch?

 

[Tortuga James]

I should be in Morehead in the nest week or so, you still buying lunch?

I am heading down tomorrow and through the weekend. Hopefully I wil run Saturday, the boat needs a workout. Let me know when you are in town, yes lunch is on me!

I am using Marine Consortium. I will call them today, thanks.

 

[ComputerJoe]

I followed the other thread and what I got was that it was a grey area and interpetation is up to the MSO. IMHO if your crew is on another drug program and you have it documented that would be enough. Expressing that view to your MSO may get his agreement. The USCG likes to view these regulations like they were dealing with a large shipping company not a one man operation. In the end it is up to the local MSO to enforce and I would hope that with communication common sense would prevail.