Drug and alcohol policy

A drug and alcohol policy is the company instruction in the safety management system that sets the prohibited-substance rules, the blood-alcohol limit, and the testing regime for everyone on board. Most tanker operators align the policy with OCIMF guidance, which recommends a blood-alcohol limit not exceeding 0.04% and unannounced testing covering at least 25% of the crew per year, plus pre-employment, for-cause, and post-incident testing. STCW Code Section A-VIII/1 sets the same 0.05% blood-alcohol watchkeeping limit at convention level. The master enforces the policy, and a positive result or a refusal is a primary vetting (SIRE/CDI) observation and an ISM nonconformity. Records of testing are auditable on board.