TVIB News Industry Press

ALERT – TODAY’S AWO WEBINAR ON COVID-19 PLANNING OPEN TO PUBLIC – MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE

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AWO has requested TVIB to share this information with our broader audience. See below for details related to the “AWO Webinar: Addressing COVID-19: Preparedness Planning In Action!” at 1:00 pm CDT TODAY.

AWO’s Safety Leadership Advisory Panel is guiding the development of the webinar, which will feature three AWO member representatives – Ketra Anderson, Crowley Maritime Corporation; Marino Hwang, McAllister Towing Corporation; and Patrick Smith, American Commercial Barge Lines – each of whom are working with their companies to meet the challenges the ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus poses for maritime employers.

Click here to register.

USCG: CANCELLED MSIB 03-19 Certificate of Documentation Guidance

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First posted on Maritime Commons on 02/28/2019

The Coast Guard announced that effective Feb. 25, 2020, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 03-19, “Certificate of Documentation Guidance,” is cancelled. 

In 2019, the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) was experiencing delays in the time necessary to issue a Certificate of Documentation (COD) that resulted, in part, due to the government shutdown. The purpose of MSIB 03-19 was to provide guidance to assist vessel owners affected by those delays. The Coast Guard is cancelling MSIB 03-19 because the NVDC is current with processing of COD renewal requests for both commercial and recreational vessels.  

USCG: Marine Safety Advisory 01-20 – Potential for Positive Drug Test Result from Use of Hemp-Plant Products

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Excerpt from MSA 01-20 Potential for Positive Drug Test Result from Use of Hemp-Plant Products, published 02/10/2020

This Marine Safety Advisory is to ensure that mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations are aware that some products marketed as hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) may contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cause a positive drug test. In accordance with 46 CFR 16.201(c), an individual who fails a chemical test for dangerous drugs must be removed from duties directly affecting the safe operation of the vessel, and is subject to suspension and revocation proceedings against his or her credential under 46 CFR part 5. Use of hemp or CBD products is not accepted as an affirmative defense (acceptable excuse) against a THC-positive drug test
result. For these reasons, mariners wishing to avoid a positive THC drug test result should exercise extreme caution when considering the use of any hemp or CBD product because such use could result in the loss of their merchant mariner credential and immediate removal from safety sensitive duties aboard a vessel. This warning applies to hemp and CBD products in any form, including those that are taken by mouth and those that are applied to the skin.

It remains unacceptable for any U.S Coast Guard credentialed mariner or other safety-sensitive worker working aboard a vessel that is subject to U.S Coast Guard drug testing regulations to use THC. Claimed use of hemp products or CBD products is not an acceptable defense for a THC- positive drug test result.

Click here to access the full Marine Safety Advisory 01-20.