[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 68816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33079]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-4860]


Random Drug Testing Rate for Covered Crewmembers

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Announcement of minimum random drug testing rate.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has set the 1999 minimum random drug testing 
rate at 50 percent of covered crewmembers. Based on an evaluation of 
the 1997 Management Information System (MIS) data collection forms 
submitted by marine employers, we determined that random drug testing 
on covered crewmembers for the calendar year 1997 resulted in positive 
test results 1.59 percent of the time. Based on this percentage, we 
will maintain the minimum random drug testing rate at 50 percent of 
covered crewmembers for the calendar year 1999.

DATES: Effective January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For questions about this notice, please contact Lieutenant Jennifer 
Williams, Project Manager, Office of Investigations and Analysis (G-
MOA), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, telephone 202-267-0686.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coast Guard regulations in Title 46 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Sec. 16.230 require marine employers to 
establish random drug testing programs for covered crewmembers on 
inspected and uninspected vessels. All marine employers are required to 
collect and maintain a record of drug testing program data for each 
calendar year, January 1 to December 31. Marine employers must submit 
this data to the Coast Guard in an annual MIS report (Form CG-5573 
found in Appendix B of Part 16). Marine employers may either submit 
their own MIS report or have a consortium or other employer 
representative submit the data in a consolidated MIS report. The 
chemical drug testing data is essential to analyze our current approach 
for deterring and detecting illegal drug abuse in the maritime 
industry.
    Since 1997 MIS data indicates that the positive random testing rate 
is greater than one percent industry-wide (1.59 percent), the Coast 
Guard announces in accordance with 46 CFR 16.230(e), that the minimum 
random drug testing rate is set at 50 percent of covered employees for 
the period of January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999.
    MIS reports are due to the United States Coast Guard, Commandant 
(G-MOA), 2100 Second Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20593-0001, not later 
than March 15 of each calendar year. 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 drug testing for the next 
calendar year.

    Dated: December 7, 1998.
J.P. High,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 98-33079 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am]
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