226
sea-related incidents were recorded by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in 2024, involving 1,348 people.
Maritime
Maritime drug and alcohol testing for Malaysian vessels, ports and offshore crews
One impaired decision at sea can cost a life, a vessel or a contract. Give your masters and crew the breathalyzers, drug test kits and policy they need to prove every person on board is fit for duty.
Maritime in Malaysia at a glance
Testing equipment
that works on board and on shore
Choose the method that suits each testing situation. Many operators use more than one.
Breath alcohol testing
Portable breathalyzers for testing on deck, on the wharf or before departure. Our breathalyzers are certified to Australian Standard AS3547 and calibrated every 12 months.
Urine drug testing
MDA-registered UDAT kits show use over a longer window. They suit pre-employment and pre-joining checks.
Saliva drug testing
Saliva kits detect recent drug use, from roughly the last 5 to 48 hours. Testers can collect on board with no toilet or private room.
Third-party on-site testing
Some operators prefer an independent collector to run testing at the port or offshore. We can advise on what to look for in a provider and supply the same certified equipment for your own team.
Who should have a
maritime drug and alcohol policy?
Any business that puts people on the water or on the wharf has a duty of care to them. That includes:
- Shipowners and ship managers
- Offshore support vessel operators
- Port, terminal and jetty operators
- Ferry, charter and tour boat operators
- Fishing vessel owners
- Marine contractors, shipyards and repair yards
The cost of
impairment at sea
Impairment on board puts crew, cargo and your operating record at risk. A testing program helps you catch it before the vessel leaves the berth.
Collisions and groundings
Slow reactions on the bridge or in the engine room can turn a routine passage into a casualty.
Crew injuries
Deck work, mooring and lifting leave little margin for error. One impaired crew member puts the whole team at risk.
Fishing crews at higher risk
Long trips, fatigue and isolation make fishing fleets especially exposed to drug use on board.
Delays and detentions
An incident can hold a vessel in port and push back every voyage after it.
Lost charters and contracts
Charterers and offshore operators expect contractors to manage drug and alcohol risk. Weak controls can cost you the next tender.
Higher insurance costs
A poor incident record raises premiums and makes claims harder to defend.
What should a maritime drug and alcohol policy
contain?
A clear policy tells crew what is expected, when they will be tested and what happens after a non-negative result. Build testing into your safety management system and train the officers who will run it.
Pre-employment and pre-joining
Screen new crew before they sign on or join a vessel.
Before sailing or before watch
Breath test crew before departure or before they take a watch.
Random testing
Test a share of crew on a schedule your policy sets, to deter use.
Reasonable suspicion
Test when an officer sees signs of impairment.
Post-incident
Test after any collision, injury, near miss or equipment damage.
Return to duty
Set clear conditions for a crew member returning after a positive result or treatment.
STCW Convention
The international standard for seafarer training and watchkeeping. It sets alcohol limits for crew on watch and requires measures to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Section 15
Your duty as an employer to provide a safe workplace, so far as is practicable, on board and ashore.
OSHA 1994, Section 24
Every crew member must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others on board.
DOSH Code of Practice (2005)
DOSH guidance on preventing and eradicating drug, alcohol and substance abuse at work, covering policies, committees and training.
Personal Data Protection Act 2010
Rules on how crew test results and other personal data are collected, stored and shared.
Client and operator requirements
Oil, gas and port operators often set their own alcohol and drug rules for contractors. Check your client's policy before your crew goes to site.
What maritime operators
usually screen for
What a crew screen can cover
AlcoholCannabis (THC)AmphetaminesMethamphetamineCocaineOpiatesBenzodiazepinesKetum / Kratom
What a kit detects, and for how long, depends on the device, the sample type and the panel you choose.
Screen crew for alcohol with a certified breathalyzer
Get a reading in seconds and record it for audits.
Screen crew for drugs with saliva or urine kits
Send any non-negative result to an accredited laboratory for confirmation, and keep testing records for inspections.
From first call
to testing on board
Talk to an advisor Maritime testing guides
Guides to help you build and run a drug and alcohol program for your crew.
Guide
Andatech teams up with Ipoh Prima Medic to boost maritime safety and compliance
How our partnership with Ipoh Prima Medic supports marine operators.
Guide
The alarming drug crisis among Malaysian fishermen
Why long trips and isolation raise the risk on fishing vessels.
Guide
Why PDRM is shifting to saliva drug testing: workplace implications
What police use of saliva testing means for employers.
Guide
Cut-off levels in drug testing: an employer's guide
How cut-off levels work and what they mean for your results.
Guide
How to implement drug and alcohol testing in Malaysian workplaces
A step-by-step guide to setting up drug and alcohol testing for your vessels and crew.
Guide
Andatech Malaysia maintains a 12-month calibration schedule for breathalyzers
Why we calibrate breathalyzers every 12 months and how our reminders work.
Frequently asked
questions
Still unsure? Talk to our team and we'll help you find the right testing approach for your vessels and crew.
What is the alcohol limit for seafarers?
The STCW Convention sets a maximum of 0.05% BAC for masters, officers and ratings on watch duties. Many operators set a stricter limit, including zero, in their own policy.
Can we test crew at sea or offshore?
Yes. Portable breathalyzers and saliva kits need no lab or collection room, so officers can test on board. For a fleet, Andalink collects every breath result in one dashboard.
Which test suits a busy gangway?
A breath test takes seconds, so it suits pre-departure checks. Saliva kits suit post-incident and reasonable suspicion testing.
Do you carry out testing on our vessels?
No. We supply the equipment and advise on your policy and testing process, so your own officers or your chosen provider can run the tests.
How often does a maritime breathalyzer need calibration?
Once a year. Our local office calibrates your units and sends a reminder before the due date.