[Federal Register: December 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 238)]
[Notices]
[Page 74552-74553]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12de06-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[USCG 2006-25522]
Exercise of Authority To Require Pilots To Submit Results of
Annual Chemical Test for Dangerous Drugs and Extension of Deadline for
Pilots To Submit Most Recent Annual Physical Examination
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: By this notice, the Coast Guard is exercising authority
currently set forth in Coast Guard regulations to require all first
class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 gross registered tons (GRT),
and other individuals who ``serve as'' pilots on certain types of
vessels greater than 1600 GRT, to provide the passing results of their
annual chemical test for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard, subject to
certain exceptions. In addition, the Coast Guard is extending the
deadline for pilots to submit the most recent copy of their annual
physical examination.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stewart A. Walker, National
Maritime Center. Phone: 202-493-1022, e-mail: Stewart.A.Walker@uscg.mil
DATES: Unless excepted under 46 CFR 16.220(c), each pilot must do the
following: Submit the passing results of his or her most recent annual
chemical test for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard on or before April
11, 2007; submit the passing results of his or her annual chemical test
for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard no later than 30 calendar days
after receiving the results of the test; and undergo a chemical test
for dangerous drugs annually within 30 calendar days of the anniversary
date of the individual's most recent chemical test for dangerous drugs.
In addition, the Coast Guard is extending the deadline for pilots
to submit a copy of their most recent physical examinations until April
11, 2007. This information was initially requested to be submitted to
the Coast Guard no later than December 27, 2006 in a Federal Register
notice published on September 28, 2006 at 71 FR 56999.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 28, 2006, the Coast Guard
provided notice that it is exercising its authority to require first
class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and those individuals
who ``serve as'' pilots in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c) on
vessels greater than 1600 GRT, to submit copies of their annual
physical examinations to the Coast Guard. 71 Fed. Reg. 56999. Copies of
that notice, as well as this notice are available electronically by
searching for docket number USCG-2006-25522 at http://dms.dot.gov. The
purpose of the physical examination notice was to implement the
recommendation made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),
in their report on the 2003 allision of the Staten Island Ferry ANDREW
J. BARBERI, that the Coast Guard require submission of annual pilot
physicals. This notice is a continuation of the Coast Guard's efforts
to fully implement the NTSB's recommendation.
Coast Guard regulations require that, unless excepted under 46 CFR
16.220(c), each pilot who is required to complete an annual physical
examination must also pass a chemical test for dangerous drugs, and
that he or she must submit the passing (i.e. negative) results of the
chemical test to the Coast Guard when applying for license renewal, or
when requested by the Coast Guard. 46 CFR 16.220(b). This includes
first class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, and those
individuals who ``serve as'' pilots in accordance with 46 CFR
15.812(b)(3) &
[[Page 74553]]
(c) on vessels greater than 1600 GRT. Individuals who ``serve as''
pilots on vessels of not more than 1600 GRT are not required to
complete an annual physical or pass an annual chemical test for
dangerous drugs. Positive results of any Coast Guard required chemical
test must be reported to the Coast Guard under other existing
regulatory authority in 46 CFR part 16.
In accordance with 46 CFR 16.220(c), individuals are excepted from
the chemical test requirements if they provide satisfactory evidence
that they have: (1) Passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs required
by 46 CFR part 16 within the previous six months with no subsequent
positive chemical tests during the remainder of the six-month period;
or (2) during the previous 185 days been subject to a random testing
program required by 46 CFR 16.230 for at least 60 days and did not fail
or refuse to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs
required pursuant to 46 CFR part 16.
This notice serves as the request, pursuant to the authority set
forth in 46 CFR 16.220(b), that all first class pilots on vessels
greater than 1600 GRT, and all other individuals who ``serve as''
pilots in accordance with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c) on vessels greater
than 1600 GRT, provide the passing results of their annual chemical
tests for dangerous drugs to the Coast Guard, unless they provide
satisfactory evidence that they have met the exceptions stated in 46
CFR 16.220(c). This information should be submitted to the Regional
Examination Center (REC) which issued the mariner's license.
The Coast Guard may initiate appropriate administrative action, up
to and including suspension or revocation of the mariner's credential
in accordance with 46 CFR part 5, if any licensed pilot serves as a
first class pilot on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, or any other
individual who ``serves as'' a pilot in accordance with 46 CFR
15.812(b)(3) & (c) on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, fails to submit
the results of his or her annual chemical test for dangerous drugs or
satisfactory evidence that he or she has met the exceptions in 46 CFR
16.220(c).
Individuals with pilot licenses, pilot endorsements, master
licenses and mate licenses (and individuals applying for those
credentials) who do not serve as first class pilots on vessels greater
than 1600 GRT, and do not otherwise ``serve as'' pilots in accordance
with 46 CFR 15.812(b)(3) & (c) on vessels greater than 1600 GRT, do not
need to submit the passing results of an annual chemical test for
dangerous drugs pursuant to 46 CFR 16.220(b); however, they must do so
before serving as first class pilots on vessels greater than 1600 GRT,
or before otherwise ``serving as'' pilots in accordance with 46 CFR
15.812(b)(3) & (c) on vessels greater than 1600 GRT.
In addition, in response to the notice published September 28, 2006
referenced above, the Coast Guard received a number of requests to
extend the initial deadline of December 27, 2006 for pilots to submit a
copy of their most recent physical examination in order to provide more
time for compliance. The Coast Guard agrees and is extending the
deadline to April 11, 2007.
Dated: December 5, 2006.
L.W. Thomas,
Acting Director of National and International Standards, Assistant
Commandant for Prevention.
[FR Doc. E6-21017 Filed 12-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P