New USCG Alcohol Testing Rules for Commercial Vessels that operate in US Waters

In the Federal Register / Vol. 70, No.245 / Thursday, December 22, 2005 / Rules and Regulations, page 75954 the final Coast Guard Rule (46 CFR Part 4) for "Marine Casualties and Investigations; Chemical Testing Following Serious Marine Incidents" has been published. This rule which went into effect June 20, 2006 "revises the Coast Guard requirements for alcohol testing after a serious marine incident to ensure that mariners or their employees involved in a serious marine incident are tested for alcohol use within 2 hours of the occurrence of the incident as required under the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998.