Maritime

The maritime industry has a large number of international regulations and guidelines in place to maintain the health, safety and welfare of seafarers. Whether the legislation is local, or part of an international agreement, a charter party clause or regulations from oil companies Concateno can provide specialist expertise and advice to meet your needs.

The following links provide useful details on requirements and implementation of drug and alcohol testing for seafarers:

• United States Coast Guard (USCG)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)
• Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)
• International Maritime Health Association (IMHA)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS)
• International Safety Management Code (ISM)
• Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy and Compliance (DOT)

Here are summaries of some of the regulations that apply to our customers:

ISM Code (International Safety Management Code)

Maritime organisations must show that they have management procedures in place to minimise the safety and business critical risks created by drugs and alcohol. The Code expects the provision of safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment, and it is expected that seafarers will be medically fit. Click here for more information.

ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code)

Introduced as a counter to terrorism, the code addresses the need for awareness and alertness, and an understanding of the risks that could leave organisations and facilities vulnerable to terrorist threats. Click here for more information.

The ISM and ISPS Codes are designed to protect all seafarers. The underlying message of both Codes is that seafarers must be in a fit state to carry out their duties.  They have to ensure that measures are carried out, that equipment is fully functional, and they must remain alert to unusual circumstances.

OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) Guidelines for the control of drugs and alcohol onboard ship

OCIMF has a simple 2 page document that summarises their recommendations.  These are that shipping companies should have a clearly written policy on drug and alcohol abuse that is easily understood by seafarers as well as shore-based staff. To support this policy companies should have rules of conduct and controls in place, with the objective that no seafarer will navigate a ship or operate its onboard equipment whilst impaired by drugs or alcohol. OCIMF recommends  that seafarers be subject to testing and screening for drugs and alcohol abuse by means of a combined programme of un-announced testing and routine medical examination. The frequency of this un-announced testing should be sufficient so as to serve as an effective deterrent to such abuse.   These general principles are referenced by many maritime companies. Click here for more information.

USCG  (United States Coast Guard)

Regulations apply to any US flagged vessel operating in US Coastal waters. Testing must be carried out pre-employment, randomly at a rate of at least 50% per annum, and post accident. Click here for more information.
There are specific regulations for reportable marine casualties.  In these circumstances testing for alcohol must be carried out within 2 hours, and testing for drugs within 32 hours.  As a consequence vessels have to carry appropriate breath or saliva testing devices for alcohol, and have the means to arrange for the collection of urine samples for drug tests. Click here for more information.

Our Products

The products and services we provide to Maritime customers include:

• Drug and alcohol testing programmes
• Breath alcohol testing devices
• The Q.E.D. saliva alcohol test
• Emergency drug and alcohol testing boxes
• Benzene exposure biomonitoring
• International sample collection network

Concateno has developed a dedicated range of services to meet the specific requirements of our maritime customers.

Account Management

Concateno have a team of account managers dedicated to finding the best fit solution for your vessel. While working with us an account manager will be assigned to you who will be able to advise as to the best course of testing relation to the regulations, guidelines and so forth than apply to you, as well as being your port of call for any questions you may have.

Programme Management

Once your drug and alcohol testing programme is in place we have a team of specialist managers dedicated to implementing your programme. This could include running elements of the planned programme, arranging sample collections or responding to a maritime incident for example.

International Collection Network

With over 600 collection officers throughout the world, and reach at most major ports, we can ensure your samples are taken with minimal disruption to your vessel. Using our collection network also means samples are taken adhering to strict chain of custody procedures which are legally defensible and lend further creditability to the testing.

Chain of Custody Procedures

Chain of custody is vital to ensure samples can we verified against the original donor and also to check they have not been tampered with. Concateno use a variety of methods to maintain and check the chain of custody including:

• Barcodes to link the sample and paperwork
• Sign donor declaration of the sample
• Tamper evident seals on the bottles
• Tamper evident bags

If a sample arrives with any of these measures broken or if the sample is not signed the accessioning team record and highlight with the relevant persons.

You can set up your testing programme in a few easy steps

• Contact one of our Account Managers with your requirements
• We'll send you a tailored quote to sign and an SSA/Account set-up form to fill in
• We'll set you up on our system and send you the codes you require to order your products and start testing!

If you have any question about the testing you are ordering or require any further information, please contact us.