USCG inspectors reveal increased drug use from Alaskan fishermen
The US Coast Guard reported that its inspectors are seeing a rise in the number of positive drug tests for non-credentialed mariners (fishermen) in the Arctic and Western Alaska.
drugs
Sort by:
Filter by:
Warning of drug smuggling incident in Mexican port
Recently, a ship had just departed a Mexican port, when two trespassers were observed throwing three packages into the water and then jumping overboard themselves. Both the packages and the trespassers were retrieved by a small craft.
USCG Guidance for compliance with drug testing requirements amid COVID-19
USCG has issued new guidance to address all challenges facing employers to conduct mandatory drug testing during the COVID-19 pandemic response. In this context, USCG has published Marine Safety Information Bulletin 10-20 to reiterate the importance of drug and alcohol testing and provide suggestions to overcome the challenges of compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drug-taking on fishing vessels is a major challenge
In the latest issue, CHIRP presents two reports they received about the use of drugs onboard commercial fishing vessels, highlighting the severe impact drug use has on seafarers.
Container ship delayed over suspected cocaine smuggling at Port of Ensenada
The Mexican Navy seized 3.1 kg of cocaine, reportedly thrown from the container ship ‘MOL Majesty’ to a boat with three people onboard, at the Port Ensenada. In a statement, the Second Naval Region announced that it confiscated the three packages on 25 February.
USCG: Use of hemp-plant products could cause positive drug test
USCG warned mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations that some products marketed as hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) may contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cause a positive drug test.
Artemis fatality Investigation report: Clear drug, alcohol policy defines acceptable limits, saves lives
In its latest investigation report UK MAIB focuses on a fatal incident concerning a skipper onboard a UK-registered fishing vessel ‘Artemis’ who fell head-first through an access hatch between the vessel’s wheelhouse and its mess deck 2.1m below, resulting to severe head injuries and died. The report notes that a significant factor of the accident was that the skipper was under the influence of alcohol.
USCG sets minimum random drug testing rate at 50% for 2020
The US Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2020 minimum random drug testing rate at 50% of covered crew members. The minimum random drug testing rate is effective from 1st January 2020 through 31st December 2020.
Royal Navy seizes $4.3 million drugs in Middle East
UK Royal Navy announced seizure of £3.3 million drugs in the Middle East. The bust came as the crew of destroyer HMS Defender pounced on a suspicious dhow, as they swept the northern Arabian Sea for smugglers and traffickers.
High risk routes for drug smuggling
North informs that recent incidents of criminals using cargo ships to smuggle narcotics have highlighted specific routes that are being targeted by smugglers. Namely, one route is Barranquilla to Altamira, as there has been a notable increase in the finding of cocaine on vessels trading from Colombia to Mexico. In most of the cases, bulk carriers have been targeted. The drugs, in the form of packaged cocaine were buried within the cargo and were only discovered during discharge operations.
