[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69710-69711]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-59]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[USCG-2003-16675]

 
Random Drug-Testing Rate for Covered Crewmembers; Calendar Year 
2004

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of minimum random drug-testing rate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2004 minimum random 
chemical drug-testing rate at 50 percent of covered crewmembers. An 
evaluation of the 2002 Management Information System (MIS) data 
collection forms submitted by marine employers showed that random drug 
testing on covered crewmembers for the calendar year 2002 resulted in 
positive test results 1.63 percent of the time. Therefore, we will 
maintain the minimum random drug-testing rate at 50 percent of covered

[[Page 69711]]

crewmembers for the calendar year 2004.

DATES: The minimum random drug-testing rate is effective January 1, 
2004 through December 31, 2004. You must submit your 2003 MIS reports 
by March 15, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The annual MIS report may be submitted in writing to 
Commandant (G-MOA), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street 
SW., Room 2404, Washington, DC 20593-0001 or by electronic submission 
to the following Internet address: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/moa/dapip.htm
.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice, 
please contact Mr. Robert C. Schoening, Drug and Alcohol Program 
Manager, Office of Investigations and Analysis (G-MOA), U.S. Coast 
Guard Headquarters, telephone (202) 267-0684. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Andrea M. Jenkins, Program Manager, Dockets 
Operations, Department of Transportation, telephone (202) 366-0271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 46 CFR 16.230, the Coast Guard 
requires marine employers to establish random drug testing programs for 
covered crewmembers on inspected and uninspected vessels. Marine 
employers are required to collect and maintain a record of drug testing 
program data for each calendar year, January 1 through December 31 and 
must submit this data by March 15 of the following year to the Coast 
Guard in an annual MIS report. You may either submit your own MIS 
report or have a consortium or other employer representative submit the 
data in a consolidated MIS report. The Coast Guard uses the chemical 
drug testing data to develop its policies for deterring and detecting 
illegal drug use in the maritime industry.
    Because 2002 MIS data shows that the positive results from random 
testing are greater than one percent industry-wide (1.63 percent), the 
Coast Guard's minimum random drug testing rate will remain at 50 
percent of covered employees for the period of January 1, 2004, through 
December 31, 2004, in accordance with 46 CFR 16.230(e).
    Each year we will publish a notice reporting the results of the 
previous calendar year's MIS data and the minimum annual percentage 
rate for random chemical drug testing for the next calendar year.

    Dated: December 4, 2003.
Howard L. Hime,
Acting Director of Standards.
[FR Doc. 03-30904 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-15-P