An Introduction to the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse on Ships

Alcohol possesses two major characteristics of addictive drugs: the potential for addiction and psychological dependence. Unlike some drugs, alcohol does not immediately impair one's ability to work but can promptly impair one's intellect. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, alcohol-related violence and criminal incidents far exceed those related to opioids, both in terms of numbers and proportions. Particularly in China, the annual number of deaths due to alcohol poisoning exceeds the combined total of deaths from all other drugs worldwide, earning alcohol the moniker "king of drugs."

Improper alcohol consumption and drug abuse can harm the psychological and physical health of crew members, increasing the likelihood of accidents or maritime disasters. Drug possession and smuggling constitute criminal offenses, subjecting individuals not only to criminal charges and arrest risks but also leading to vessel detention and fines for shipowners or operators. In extreme cases, vessels may even face confiscation. Presently, the vast majority of shipping companies enforce a "zero-tolerance" policy towards drug and alcohol abuse as well as drug smuggling activities onboard.

The intoxicating effects of alcohol and drugs can lead to increased cortical function in the brain, reduced physical balance, coordination between the brain and limbs, and impaired judgment, making it difficult to assess dangerous situations and take safety measures. Many people believe that drinking is an integral part of maritime life, as long as one does not get drunk, there should be no problem. However, this is not the case! Substance abuse by crew members onboard can result in impaired vision, reduced decision-making ability, delayed reaction time, risk-taking behavior, fatigue, and drowsiness, posing serious threats not only to the health of abusers but also to the safety of vessel navigation and operations, and even potentially leading to serious maritime disasters.

Given the significant safety risks associated with improper alcohol consumption and drug abuse, many shipowners have implemented strict onboard alcohol and drug control policies in accordance with relevant conventions and regulations. They require random drug and alcohol testing onboard ships. However, every year, there are still some accidents related to drugs and alcohol.

Case One: The second mate of a general cargo ship consumed excessive high-concentration alcohol, impairing judgment or losing consciousness. He fell from the staircase to the engine room during the handover shift and died.

Case Two: The Russian cargo ship "Sea Grand" collided with a yacht in Busan Port, injuring three people on the yacht. It then attempted to flee the scene but collided with the Busan Gwangan Bridge, causing severe damage to the bridge's main structure and resulting in serious traffic congestion. The ship was later detained by the South Korean Coast Guard. Alcohol testing of the captain revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.086%. The captain was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by the Busan District Court, with a four-year suspended sentence.

Case Three: The cargo ship "BBC Marmara" ran aground because the duty officer on the bridge had consumed alcohol before and during his shift, resulting in severe damage to the ship's hull.

Case Four: The British cargo ship "Scot Carrier" collided with a Danish barge while navigating a busy sea lane (around 3:30 am, during the shift change between the second officer and the chief officer). The collision caused the barge to capsize, resulting in one crew member missing and another trapped onboard and deceased. Following the accident, all crew members of the "Scot Carrier" underwent drug and alcohol testing. Based on the alcohol test results, the chief officer was suspected of drinking excessively at sea, while the duty second officer was suspected of serious alcohol-related impairment while driving.

The occurrence of the above maritime safety accidents illustrates that the alcohol and drug control policies in the Safety Management System (SMS) of ship management companies have not been effectively implemented onboard ships.

Requirements of Conventions and Regulations for Alcohol and Drug Control

STCW Convention: The International Maritime Organization's "International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers" (STCW Convention) Chapter VIII "Watchkeeping" stipulates that the competent authority should take appropriate measures to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. It adds guidance for personnel responsible for security duties to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

The STCW Convention requires shipping companies to have clear drug and alcohol policies in their Safety Management Systems (SMS), including:

1. Shipping companies should take measures to prevent drugs or alcohol from affecting the ability of watchkeeping personnel to perform their duties.

2. To prevent alcohol abuse, shipping companies should set blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits not exceeding 0.05% or breath alcohol concentration limits not exceeding 0.25 milligrams per liter for captain, senior officers, and other seafarers performing safety, security, and pollution prevention duties.

3. Drug and alcohol abuse directly affects the ability of crew members to perform watchkeeping duties or duties related to safety, pollution prevention, and security. When crew members are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they should not be allowed to perform watchkeeping duties or duties related to safety, pollution prevention, and security until their ability to perform these duties is no longer impaired.

4. Shipping companies should incorporate drug and alcohol policies into their quality management systems or provide adequate information and education to crew members on preventing drug and alcohol abuse, including prohibiting watchkeeping personnel from drinking alcohol within 4 hours before watchkeeping duty.

5. Shipping companies should ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent drugs or alcohol from affecting the ability of watchkeeping personnel or personnel performing safety, pollution prevention, and security duties, and should be able to:

???1) ?Identify drug and alcohol abuse;

???2) Respect the dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and basic legal rights of individuals; and

???3) ?Consider relevant international guidelines.

ILO "Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime Industry" Plan:

1. Captain's Responsibilities: Ensure the initiation and implementation of drug testing duties and procedures in cases of reasonable suspicion, where random drug testing may be used to detect and deter drug use requirements.

2. Procedure Requirements: In the "Organization of the Prevention Plan" section regarding alcohol and drug testing requirements, if drug and/or alcohol testing is part of company procedures, the policy should specify who will be tested, under what circumstances testing will be initiated, the frequency of testing, the type of testing, the procedures used, and the subsequent actions following positive test results.

3. Sampling and Testing Requirements: Testing should be conducted in accordance with the laws and practices of each country, which may vary significantly among member states. Ethical, moral, and legal issues are involved in sampling crew members for alcohol and drug testing, and it must be determined when such testing is fair and appropriate.

4. Breath testing for alcohol content is the most commonly used method of detection, meeting requirements for non-invasive, rapid, and accurate testing; urine sampling is more convenient and practical, ensuring the privacy, confidentiality, and integrity of the sample; blood can be used to detect the presence of alcohol and most drugs (narcotics). However, trained phlebotomists are required for blood sampling, and blood sampling is not suitable for rapid on-site testing; as medical testing technology advances, urine testing for drug use can be relied upon.

5. Analysis of Test Results: Even if urine testing is positive, it does not necessarily mean that the individual has used drugs, as other medications may produce similar reactions. Positive results should be reported to the company immediately, and the final determination should be made by medical experts, who will decide whether a confirmed positive result can be explained by "legitimate use of prescription drugs."

6. Guiding Principles for Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace: When considering testing schemes, companies should develop a formal written policy explaining the purpose of testing, rules, regulations, rights, and responsibilities of all relevant parties. Drug and alcohol testing should be based on negotiated agreements among all relevant parties to ensure its authenticity and effectiveness.

7. When crew members exhibit obvious abnormal behavior (such as mood swings or instability, irritability and aggressiveness, loss of interest in work, repeated tardiness, lack of concentration, confusion, secretive behavior, etc.), drugs are found hidden, crew members report, receive instructions to initiate testing from shore, or after liability accidents occur, the captain should promptly initiate the drug testing procedure and strictly maintain confidentiality for the tested individuals.

8. If crew members are found to be in illegal possession of drugs, the drug testing procedure should be initiated immediately, and the crew members and samples should be transferred ashore for further testing, dismissal and/or termination of employment from the ship. Disciplinary action must comply with the applicable terms of the seafarer employment agreement and any relevant codes of conduct.

The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Seafarers' Duty on Ships?stipulate that seafarers shall not drink alcohol. Duty personnel are prohibited from drinking alcohol within four hours before their duty, and during duty, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) shall not exceed 0.05%, or the breath alcohol concentration shall not exceed 0.25mg/L; shipping companies shall formulate corresponding measures to prevent seafarers from drinking alcohol and abusing drugs. Seafarers shall not be arranged to be on duty when their ability to perform duty or related safety, pollution prevention, and security duty is affected by drugs or alcohol.

The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administrative Penalties for Maritime Affairs at Sea: If the alcohol content in a seafarer's body exceeds the prescribed standard during duty on board, a fine of no less than 1,000 yuan and no more than 10,000 yuan shall be imposed; for serious circumstances, the seafarer's certificate may be detained for a period of 6 to 24 months or revoked until the seafarer's certificate is revoked. In case of accidents, penalties shall be imposed according to regulations, including detention or revocation of the seafarer's certificate.

The Measures for the Illegal Points of Seafarers in the People's Republic of China: For sea-going seafarers, the standard for scoring points for violations related to water traffic safety on ships is 15 points for seafarers whose alcohol content exceeds the prescribed standard during duty on board; for river-going vessel seafarers, the standard for scoring points for violations related to water traffic safety on board is 15 points for those who drink alcohol while on duty, with alcohol content exceeding the prescribed standard.

Safety Management System (SMS): In order to ensure the safe navigation, operation, and return home of seafarers, shipping companies typically establish Safety Management Systems (SMS) in accordance with relevant international conventions, regulations, and rules. One of the policies within the SMS is to prevent drug and alcohol abuse as part of ship safety management, explicitly prohibiting seafarers from abusing drugs and alcohol. It requires that seafarers undergo drug and alcohol testing before deployment, pledge not to drink alcohol or use drugs, fill out a "Ship Alcohol and Drug Control" commitment letter, and sign the "Ship Alcohol and Drug Control Crew Commitment Registration Form." At the same time, companies also regularly conduct drug and alcohol tests on board without prior notice and require posters related to alcohol and drug control to be posted at the gangway entrance.

Regarding drugs, the Safety Management System (SMS) of the company generally requires:

1. Seafarers are strictly prohibited from carrying, smoking, injecting, buying, and transporting drugs.

2. Ships should regularly conduct anti-drug education, requiring crew members to consciously comply with relevant anti-drug regulations.

3. Strict gangway duty and safety inspections should be carried out. When ships dock in areas and ports where drugs are heavily trafficked, patrols and inspections should be intensified, and suspected drug-related personnel should not be allowed on board or in contact with crew members.

4. Before sailing, the entire ship should thoroughly inspect areas where drugs may be hidden, and record the inspection results in the "Ship Search Checklist."

5. Once drugs are found on board, the scene should be protected, reported to the company promptly, and further measures should be taken as instructed by the company.

6. After a safety accident on board, if the ship is equipped with a drug testing device, drug testing should be conducted on relevant personnel within XX hours (the time specified by each management company may vary), and the test results should be recorded and the urine samples should be retained (urine samples must be collected under supervision). If the ship is not equipped with a drug testing device, urine (or blood) samples should be collected from relevant personnel within XX hours, properly stored, and sent to specialized shore institutions for testing as soon as the ship arrives at port. The captain is responsible for contacting agents to obtain test reports (results) for filing and sending the test reports to the company for record-keeping.

Some shipping companies equip ships with "DRUG TESTER" drug classification test paper and a sufficient number of complete urine sample collection tools, which comply with industry requirements and facilitate urine sample storage and transportation. The captain personally or designates someone to be responsible for storing and using these reagents and tools. When the test paper is about to expire or the number of collection tools is insufficient, the captain should promptly apply to the company or purchase them locally.

To ensure the authenticity and reliability of the results, drug test paper should be used within one hour after opening the package; the urine sample collection tools should be kept clean and uncontaminated during use; it takes approximately 2 to 4 hours from drug use to urine excretion, so the optimal time to collect urine is 4 hours after suspected drug use; drug test paper can detect drug use within up to one week; to avoid human intervention, sampling should be conducted without the knowledge of the person being tested; suspected individuals' urine should be tested at least twice for confirmation to avoid conflicts.

For alcoholic beverages, the company's Safety Management System (SMS) generally includes the following provisions:

1. Crew members must read and sign a declaration confirming their understanding of the alcohol and drug policy before boarding the ship.

2. All crew members must consider the impact of alcohol on their health, especially regarding impaired reaction times and judgment in emergency situations. Therefore, alcohol consumption should be moderate and never excessive or abusive.

3. The captain is fully responsible for alcohol control onboard to ensure that duty personnel can work without impairment and be prepared for emergencies. The purchase, storage, and sale of alcoholic beverages, including those in duty-free stores, must be strictly controlled, and records must be maintained.

4. Under normal circumstances, crew members are not allowed to store or consume alcohol in their personal quarters. Moderate alcohol consumption is only permitted in the dining room or recreation room from 1800 to 2100 local time.

5. Under no circumstances should duty personnel consume alcohol within 4 hours before their shift.

6. All vessels must be equipped with alcohol testing devices and have a sufficient supply of ancillary testing equipment (such as mouthpieces). The captain is responsible for the storage, maintenance, and use of these devices. Alcohol testing devices should undergo annual inspection or updates, with certificates of compliance retained.

7. Before using alcohol testing devices, personnel must thoroughly read the instruction manual and use them correctly. Some alcohol testing devices measure the breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of the subject, expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L). The conversion relationship between BrAC and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is as follows: BrAC (mg/L) equals 2000 times BAC (mg/100ml). In other words, a BAC of 50mg/100ml is equivalent to a BrAC of 0.25mg/L.

8. The blood alcohol concentration of any person onboard must not exceed 0.50% (50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood) at any time. If a person's blood alcohol concentration exceeds this value, they should cease work temporarily, and a retest should be conducted after 30 minutes. If the reading still exceeds the standard, the company should be notified immediately.

9. The captain is responsible for arranging regular, unannounced alcohol testing for all crew members every month during the voyage. After a general or higher-level safety incident occurs onboard, alcohol testing of personnel involved should be conducted within two hours. In cases of abnormal behavior by crew members, the captain should temporarily suspend their work and conduct alcohol testing. The results of alcohol testing must be recorded in the Alcohol Content Testing Record.

10. If a crew member refuses to undergo alcohol testing, the captain has the authority, with another senior crew member present, to determine whether the crew member is under the influence of alcohol. The result of this determination should be communicated to the individual and reported to the company.

Rightship Inspection: Rightship requires shipping companies to have a clear written policy in their Safety Management System (SMS) prohibiting seafarers from abusing drugs or alcohol, and to establish codes of conduct and control measures to prevent activities by seafarers while impaired due to drugs or alcohol.

For ships where alcohol consumption is permitted, the SMS should include management policies for the distribution, consumption, testing, and recording of onboard alcoholic beverages.

In addition to routine alcohol testing and records, onboard unannounced or random drug and alcohol testing and screening, as well as routine medical examinations, should also be conducted and documented in the system's documents and records.

Rightship recommends that ship management companies conduct surprise alcohol and drug tests on crew members through local agents or third-party external agencies no more than 6 times per 6 months to prevent alcohol and drug abuse.

During Rightship inspections, inspectors will request the captain to provide relevant records of the above requirements and recommendations.

OCIMF Shipboard Alcohol and Drug Control Guidelines: The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) published the "Guidelines for Shipboard Alcohol and Drug Control" in 1995, suggesting simultaneous testing for alcohol and drugs, and the frequency of unannounced testing should be sufficient to deter alcohol and drug abuse.

It emphasizes that company procedures should determine the frequency of unannounced drug and alcohol testing by onboard personnel. This frequency should be reflected in the company's SMS drug and alcohol policy. The captain should also conduct unannounced alcohol and drug testing in the event of accidents or incidents.

The Ship Inspection Questionnaire (VIQ), now RISQ 2.0, provides guidelines for implementing unannounced alcohol and drug testing procedures for crew members.

Considering that some crew members may sign contracts of less than 6 weeks, as an effective deterrent, the frequency of unannounced testing should cover the shortest contract period for each crew member, ensuring that every crew member is tested during their service period.

Alcohol testing can be initiated by the captain, and combined alcohol and drug testing can be conducted by third parties. Record the date of the last combined alcohol and drug test conducted by a third party or, under controlled conditions, the date of sampling by onboard personnel (collecting "breath samples" is inconvenient, while blood samples can be tested for both alcohol and drugs), and send them for independent third-party testing.

Shipboard alcohol and drug control and inspections can be summarized as follows:

1. Duty officers are prohibited from drinking alcohol within four hours before their duty and must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of no higher than 0.05% or a breath alcohol concentration of no higher than 0.25mg/L during their duty.

2. Unannounced alcohol and drug testing may be initiated by the captain when necessary, and the testing frequency should be sufficient to effectively deter abusers.

3. Unannounced combined alcohol and drug testing should be conducted by third parties, or under controlled conditions, samples may be collected by onboard personnel and sent for independent third-party analysis.

The Expert Committee of MarinSmart Platform kindly reminds?you: A drop of alcohol indulged by a crew member may lead to tears shed by loved ones! For safer navigation, crew members should refrain from operating vessels after drinking alcohol or abusing drugs.

Next Episode Preview:

Driven by interests, the allure of drug smuggling to ships stems from their large concealed transport spaces, generally looser security measures compared to the aviation industry, global routes, indirect transportation capabilities, and the abundance of practitioners. It is relatively easy to entice dockworkers, crew members, or officials with weaker law enforcement for cooperation. Despite ships taking a series of measures to prevent potential drug smuggling incidents, the number of reported maritime drug trafficking incidents worldwide continues to rise.

In the next episode, the Expert Committee of the MarinSmart?Platform?will present "A Discussion on Preventing Shipborne Drug Smuggling." Stay tuned!