This rule extends from 2 years to 5 years the maximum validity period of merchant navy medical certificates issued to FCPs and captains or comrades serving as pilots. This rule reduces the frequency with which medical certificate applications are filed with the Coast Guard. CPFs and masters and comrades serving as pilots on ships of 1,600 gross tonnage and over must submit to the Coast Guard the results of their annual physical examinations between medical licence applications if the seafarer: (1) does not meet the physical performance requirements; (2) has a medical condition that does not meet medical, visual or hearing requirements; (3) is considered “not recommended” by a physician for a medical certificate; or (4) is invited to do so by the Coast Guard. The maximum validity period of the medical certificate of 5 years applies to all pilots (with the exception of pilots holding temporary medical certificates due to their state of health), regardless of the tonnage of the vessel on which they serve. The Coast Guard believes that this extension of the validity period will not affect marine safety, as the rule does not relax the annual physical examination for FCPs or masters and comrades serving as pilots. Rather, we expect the rule to promote greater transparency with respect to a pilot`s medical fitness by including a new requirement that pilots submit the results of their annual inspection to the Coast Guard for review if the physician determines that they no longer meet the medical and physical standards of 46 CFR Part 10. Subsection C. In the United States, most aviators must have a valid medical certificate certifying sound health as part of the requirements to fly an aircraft or helicopter. [6] Although pilot certificates are issued for life, the medical certificate expires and must be renewed periodically to continue receiving flight privileges. Sport pilots can use a valid driver`s license instead of a medical certificate, and glider and hot air balloon pilots do not have to obtain it.
[6] Medical certificates must respect patients` right to confidentiality. Patient consent is required for the disclosure of personal health information and therefore medical certificates should not contain a diagnosis without the patient`s permission. [15] The issuance of medical certificates regulates a number of basic principles, although procedures vary from one legal system to another. Service on board ships can be time-consuming and places unique physical and medical demands on pilots. Submission requirements support our legal responsibility under 46 U.S.C. 7101 to ensure that pilots are physically Departure Printed Page 66579 and medically fit to pilot a ship. Public safety risks associated with the medical and physical condition of pilots on board vessels are important considerations for the safe operation of vessels and for the safety and well-being of the crew. As noted in § 11.709(b), the pilot`s annual physical examination will continue to be recorded on Form CG-719K, which documents physical fitness, medical conditions, and hearing and vision requirements. Form CG-719K also indicates whether a seafarer is “not recommended”, which could result in a deposit under the requirements of Article 11.709(b)(2)(i)-(iii).
If a pilot, master or seafarer serving as a pilot on a ship of 1,600 gross registered tons or more is “not recommended” on his Form CG-719K and does not report the results of his physical examination in accordance with section 11.709(b), he shall not serve as a pilot on a ship of 1,600 gross tons or more until they comply and the Coast Guard decides: if they comply with the provisions of subchapter B of 46 CFR. The documentation and scope of the annual physical examination remain unchanged under this rule. Required Information: Title 46 U.S.C. Subtitle II, Part E, Subpart B of Part 10 of 46 CFR, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code, including the STCW Final Rule (78 FR 77796), require applicants for CMMs and medical certificates to apply to one of the 17 Coast Guard REBs across the country or another location designated by the Coast Guard. CMMs are established for persons who are required to have a certificate of eligibility in accordance with Subtitle II. The Coast Guard is responsible for issuing CMMs and medical certificates to applicants who are qualified in terms of age, character and lifestyle, experience, professional qualifications and physical fitness. The devices contained in OMB control number 1625-0040 are used as a means for the applicant to request a CME and a medical certificate. Summary of Information Gathering: The Coast Guard is currently collecting information from merchant seamen with their requests for CMMs and medical certificates for merchant seamen.
This collection shall include the following requests for information: signature of the applicant and supporting documents necessary to demonstrate that the seafarer meets the mandatory requirements for the medical certificate or certificate requested; proof that the applicant has passed all applicable eye, hearing, medical and physical examinations; negative chemical test for dangerous drugs; Printed home page 66589 Discharges or other supporting documents for maritime service, indicating the name, tonnage, propulsion and performance of the ships, the date of service, the quality in which the applicant served and on which waters; and disclosure documentation for narcotics, driving under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol or other convictions. Sometimes there are standards and procedures for workers in a particular field to be entitled to a medical certificate. Each National Aeronautics and Space Administration aircraft must provide its employees with access to the National Driver Registry. In addition, the other tests required for first, second and third class pilots are: eye, throat / nose / throat / mental balance, neurological and cardiovascular. [11] The Coast Guard is currently amending 46 CFR 10.301, which contains general requirements for meeting medical and physical standards for the issuance of medical certificates to seafarers. We extend the maximum validity of the medical certificate of 2 years for FCPs and pilots by removing § 10.301(b)(2), which contains the maximum provision of 2 years. This section states that pilots will receive a medical certificate valid for a maximum of 5 years. A comment from the American Pilots Association supported the changes to the proposed rule, including reporting requirements. The American Pilots Association agreed with our statement in the NPRM that this change would not affect or reduce navigational safety. The American Pilots Association said these changes would increase safety because of the new requirement that pilots submit the results of their annual physical examination to the Coast Guard for review if the physician determines they no longer meet the medical and physical standards of 46 CFR Part 10, Subpart C. Variant 3. The third option we considered was to extend the maximum validity period of the medical certificate to 5 years and to require BCPs to submit the results of their annual physical examinations to the Coast Guard between requests for a medical certificate if the mariner: (1) does not meet the physical fitness requirements; (2) has a medical condition that does not meet medical, visual or hearing requirements; (3) is considered “not recommended” by a physician for a medical certificate; or (4) is invited to do so by the Coast Guard.
With this third option, BCPs would request medical certificates every 5 years and would only have to report the results of their medical examination between applications if one of the four conditions applies. This solution mitigates the increased risk of safety risks identified under the second option, as seafarers with underlying medical conditions act as BCPs. The potential for risk is increased if the Coast Guard does not have the capacity to review physical examinations of seafarers whose doctors have diagnosed them with conditions that may affect their pilot performance.
