Alcohol and drug consumption

Guidelines

The consumption of alcohol on board ship is slowly getting eliminated through strict regulations and examination. Most organizations have a non-alcohol policy on-board their ships and have implemented random alcohol tests for members of their crew.

The harmful effects on personal health and overall safety on board are also persuasive reasons for avoiding both alcohol and drug abuse. A seafarer can expect little understanding from their manager if caught using or possessing illegal substances.

Moreover, regulation with even more severe sanctions, where drugs and alcohol are considered to have contributed to an accident, is rapidly being introduced worldwide. The introduced penalties do not only relate to injuries to crew members and damage to property but also the substantial costs for preventing or addressing destruction to the environment.

The amended 2010 STCW Convention calls for administration to put in place suitable measures to prevent alcohol and drug consumption. There is also a compulsory requirement for the administration to determine a limit of no more than 0.05% blood alcohol level (BAC) or 0.25 mg/l alcohol in the breath while performing their safety, security and environmental duties.

Guidelines in part B of the STCW Code on watch-keepers propose that seafarers should not consume any alcohol four hours prior to going on watch.

Prevention

All administration has the same responsibilities to protect the health and safety of people onboard:

Medical checkups and medical examinations: with checks for drug and alcohol use included in the seafarers medical checkups both on the preliminary screening and during mariners periodic medical examinations.

Training: assistance, guidance and expertise need to be provided to facilitate the development of programs to help prepare trainers, the implementation of training and the education of both the seafarers and shore workers in the symptoms, effects and consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.

Promoting awareness: accident reports, risk assessment data and additional information that can be used by the country's maritime industry need to be provided to promote awareness and to emphasize the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Defining the boundaries: a maximum blood alcohol level for needs to be prescribed as well as other restrictions on the consumption of drugs, together with prescribed medications.

Providing rehabilitation services: rehabilitation services for seafarers with a drug or alcohol abuse problem need to be provided.

Non-discrimination: a legislation that ensures rehabilitated seafarers are not discriminated against by employers needs to be introduced.