Wednesday, 04 February 2009 12:22

Issue: The Coast Guard has published new medical standards for merchant mariners as NVIC 04-08 dated Sept 15, 2008.

Status: The new medical standards clarifies for mariners and their doctors what medical conditions require amplifying information and specifies what test results the Coast guard medical review staff will need to see. It also lists certain medications that will result in medical disqualification (primarily narcotics due to the risk of drowsiness) if used. The only substantive work remaining is the development of a new physical examination form for medical professionals to use when conducting a merchant mariner’s physical examination. The greater detail and medical information required by the new policy has increased the number of mariners who require review of their record by the National Maritime Center (NMC) and has lengthened the review time. The NMC has promised to hire additional staff to shorten the time an application spends in medical review. The Coast Guard continues to report that the greater depth and breadth of medical records review has not resulted in the feared substantial increase in the medical rejection rate for mariners.

NMC and OMSA strongly recommend use of the NVIC by mariners with health issues to ensure all the information NMC requires will be sent in the initial submission and submission 6-12 months before renewal to allow adequate time for review and possible requests for additional information.