46 CFR 4.06-5: Individual duties after serious marine incidents
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
This section sets duties for individuals determined to be directly involved in an SMI. They must provide a blood, breath, saliva, or urine specimen when directed. Refusal must be recorded and can lead to removal from duties and penalties.
Applies toAny individual engaged or employed on board a vessel, floating OCS facility, or MODU who is determined to be directly involved in an SMI.
What it says
An individual determined to be directly involved in an SMI must provide a blood, breath, saliva, or urine specimen for chemical testing when the marine employer or a law enforcement officer directs it.
46 CFR 4.06-5(a)“must provide a blood, breath, saliva, or urine specimen for chemical testing when directed to do so by the marine employer or a law enforcement officer”
If the individual refuses to provide a specimen, the refusal must be noted on Forms CG-2692 and CG-2692B and in the vessel's official log book, if a log book is required.
46 CFR 4.06-5(b)“this refusal must be noted on Forms CG-2692 and CG-2692B and in the vessel's official log book, if a log book is required”
The marine employer must remove a refusing individual as soon as practical from duties that directly affect the safe operation of the vessel, floating OCS facility, or MODU.
46 CFR 4.06-5(b)“The marine employer must remove the individual as soon as practical from duties that directly affect the safe operation of the vessel, floating OCS facility, or MODU.”
Individuals subject to alcohol testing after an SMI are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages for 8 hours after the SMI occurs or until the alcohol testing required by this part is completed.
46 CFR 4.06-5(c)“are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages for 8 hours following the occurrence of the SMI or until after the alcohol testing required by this part is completed”
No individual may be compelled to provide specimens, but refusal is a violation of this subpart and may lead to suspension and revocation proceedings under part 5 of this chapter, a civil penalty, or both.
46 CFR 4.06-5(d)“refusal to provide specimens is a violation of this subpart and may subject the individual to suspension and revocation proceedings under part 5 of this chapter, a civil penalty, or both”
Common questions
Who can direct me to provide a specimen after a serious marine incident?
The marine employer or a law enforcement officer can direct an individual directly involved in an SMI to provide a specimen.
“when directed to do so by the marine employer or a law enforcement officer”
How long can I not drink alcohol after a serious marine incident?
Individuals subject to alcohol testing after an SMI may not consume alcohol beverages for 8 hours after the SMI, or until the required alcohol testing is completed.
“are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages for 8 hours following the occurrence of the SMI or until after the alcohol testing required by this part is completed”
What happens if I refuse a chemical test after a serious marine incident?
Refusal is a violation of this subpart and may lead to suspension and revocation proceedings under part 5 of this chapter, a civil penalty, or both.
“refusal to provide specimens is a violation of this subpart and may subject the individual to suspension and revocation proceedings under part 5 of this chapter, a civil penalty, or both”
The text of 46 CFR 4.06-5
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of July 30, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Responsibility of individuals directly involved in serious marine incidents
(a) Any individual engaged or employed on board a vessel, floating OCS facility, or MODU who is determined to be directly involved in an SMI must provide a blood, breath, saliva, or urine specimen for chemical testing when directed to do so by the marine employer or a law enforcement officer.
(b) If the individual refuses to provide a blood, breath, saliva, or urine specimen, this refusal must be noted on Forms CG-2692 and CG-2692B and in the vessel's official log book, if a log book is required. The marine employer must remove the individual as soon as practical from duties that directly affect the safe operation of the vessel, floating OCS facility, or MODU.
(c) Individuals subject to alcohol testing after an SMI are prohibited from consuming alcohol beverages for 8 hours following the occurrence of the SMI or until after the alcohol testing required by this part is completed.
(d) No individual may be compelled to provide specimens for alcohol and drug testing required by this part. However, refusal to provide specimens is a violation of this subpart and may subject the individual to suspension and revocation proceedings under part 5 of this chapter, a civil penalty, or both.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of July 30, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.