It may be hard to believe. but there are vessels operating in waters of the United States with crewmembers who are not required to demonstrate their fitness for duty. Allowing undocumented seamen to work on these vessels unnecessadly increases the potential for Injury or death of other waterway users. In addition. since many of these vessels transport oil or hazardous substances. any accident puts this Nation at risk for serious environmental damage to our shores and natural resources. Today. as a first step in correcting this dangerous problem. I am Introducing a bill to require these undocumented crewmembers on tugs. towboats. and barges to meet Coast Guard standards for employment. Current Law prohibits employment of a merchant seaman on a vessel over 100 gross tons unless that person has a merchant mariners document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. To qualify for this document. the individual must submit to drug testing. undergo a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record check. allow the Coast Guard to review driving records Information contained in the National Driver Register. complete 6090 days of seatime. and provide proof of commitment for employment. . These important safeguards do not apply to certain personnel on vessels under 100 gross tons. so thousands of undocumented seamen escape any kind of Coast Guard regulation or oversight. Even more shocking. an individual whose documents have been revoked or suspended for alcohol or drug abuse may end up employed on one of these vessels. According to Coast Guard statistics. approximately 57 percent of towboat casualties between 1981 and 1987 were caused by personnel.
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undocumented