Coast Guard Serious Marine Incident Rule

What does the new rule require? (Click Here to download the new regulation)

• The new Coast Guard Serious Marine Incident rule requires that crewmembers of commercial vessels be tested for alcohol within two hours of a Serious Marine Incident.
• The rule requires vessels to have an alcohol testing device on board if the vessel cannot reach a shore-side alcohol testing facility within two hours of a Serious Marine Incident.
• The rule requires that the alcohol testing device be approved by the Department of Transportation as an Evidential Breath Measurement Device (EBT) or an Alcohol Screening Device (ASD).
• The rule requires that the operator of the device be trained.

When does the new rule take effect?

The new Serious Marine Incident rule takes effect June 20, 2006.

Does the rule require that alcohol test operators be trained as Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) or Screening Test Technicians (STTs)?

No. The rule states only that “…personnel be trained to operate the alcohol-testing device...”

The Coast Guard specifies the use of CG-2692B, Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident for reporting purposes. Click Here to download form CG-2692B. We recommend also using a Non-DOT, or Generic, Alcohol Test Form to document the alcohol test. This form enables the operator to record significant details such as the lot number and expiration date of a device, or the serial number of the device, and other relevant information regarding the test.