USCG penalizing mariners with sleep apnea for renewal process

A U.S. flag master is speaking out on how the U.S. Coast Guard is "doing everything wrong" on his Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) process.

"I am deeply grieved and wonder why I am being penalized for a physical disorder that I have corrected and controlled for the last eight (8) years," writes Captain Doug Hamilton in an open column appearing in the Professional Mariner website.

Hamilton, who suffers from sleep apnea that is easily controlled in bed by a CPAP (continuous positive airway machine) commonly used by persons with sleeping disorders, says that he is "ashamed" that, along with receiving his MMC renewal he was issued a letter mandating that he must undergo an annual sleep examination and evidence of compliance.

"Do mariners who wear glasses have to submit an annual eye exam and log compliance to correct their visionary discrepancies?" he asks. "Do seamen with hearing problems submit annual hearing tests and log the use of their hearing aids for USCG review? As far as I know these exams are submitted every 5 years for renewal, and professional mariners see health and medical specialists between renewals to correct their health problems as they crop up."

Hamilton argues that if the Coast Guard is going to be responsible for determining mariners' special health circumstances, then it should also pay for the cost of the annual exams and be accountable to the public for any harm from all failures to disclose, comply or predict health problems that mariners may incur between renewals.