| GENERAL INFORMATION
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| KEYWORDS
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Marine medical certificate, alcohol abuse,
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| FILE NO.
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MH-0453-28
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| SECTOR (Marine or Aviation)
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Marine
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| SPECIFIC JOB
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Marine Engineer
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| DIAGNOSIS (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
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Alcohol abuse
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| REVIEW
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| DATE OF DETERMINATION
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October 4, 2017
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| MEMBER
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Dr. Christopher Brooks
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| DETERMINATION
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The member refers the matter back to the Minister for reconsideration.
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| REASONS FOR THE DETERMINATION
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Refusal to issue a marine medical certificate (MMC) — The applicant has a long history of drinking. In 2014, it came to the notice of his marine medical examiner (MME) that his drinking was getting out of control and should be investigated. Consequently, the TC marine medical unit suspended the applicant’s MMC until a) his clinical condition was reviewed, b) an evaluation of his drinking habits was conducted by a professional alcohol addiction specialist, and c) he underwent a formal alcohol rehabilitation course. Over the next three years, neither b) nor c) has taken place. Then, in 2015 and 2016, the applicant changed his MME to obtain a new MMC. He did not volunteer any information about his drinking habit to his second MME and did not admit to any substance abuse on his application in 2015 and 2016. The second MME signed him off as fit. However, when these MMCs reached TC, they were both refused. The applicant is a marine engineer in a safety-critical position on his vessel. The TC marine medical unit quite correctly followed the TP 11343E and ILO/IMO guidelines for a seafarer with a history of heavy drinking. As the applicant did not follow the conditions for reinstatement of his MMC, the member agrees with the Minister’s decision. However, the member refers the matter back to the Minister for reconsideration, as the Minister has proceeded on the basis of a refusal to issue an MMC when in fact it is a refusal to renew.
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| APPEAL
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| DATE OF DECISION
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| MEMBERS
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| DECISION
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| OTHER/COMMENTS
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