Washington — Maritime industry employers can bolster worker safety and health by prohibiting alcohol and strengthening testing and mental health support systems, according to a congressionally mandated report.
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to examine “problems arising from the possession and consumption of alcohol at sea,” including its potential effect on “harmful and dangerous behaviors” such as sexual misconduct.
“Popular culture often depicts sailors drinking as part of maritime camaraderie, but, in reality, substance misuse at sea endangers crews, vessels and the environment,” NASEM says. “Alcohol-related incidents have been linked to collisions, allisions and onboard violence, creating direct threats to maritime safety and professional conduct.”
The report authors add that numerous factors unique to the industry influence mariner well-being and possible alcohol misuse, including social isolation and inconsistent access to workplace support and health services.
However, they found “no unifying framework guiding alcohol misuse and sexual misconduct prevention across maritime organizations.” Further, NASEM says, policies and enforcement “differ widely among agencies and companies, falling short of the best practices used in other high-reliability sectors,” including aviation and nuclear.
NASEM’s recommendations to the Coast Guard and maritime employers:
Prohibit alcohol possession and use by crew on U.S. flagged vessels to promote consistent safety expectations.
Require random alcohol testing and modernize drug testing panels.
Update Coast Guard policy to require removal from duty at blood alcohol concentration levels of 0.02-0.039, aligning with other transportation modes.
Develop industry standards for sexual assault prevention and response, covering early response, bystander support and alternative dispute resolution.
Create a research program to identify approaches that support mental health, reduce isolation, strengthen belonging and address substance use.
Assess available physical and behavioral health services.
Strengthen consequences and performance expectations for leaders responsible for safety and workplace culture.