WASHINGTON — The U.S. maritime sector is a cornerstone of both the national economy and national security, yet many of the rules and practices governing life at sea have not kept pace with the realities faced by today’s workforce. Recent, widely reported cases involving alcohol-related sexual misconduct have exposed systemic shortcomings and intensified calls for meaningful reform across the industry.

A newly released, congressionally mandated study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine argues that decisive action is needed. The report urges a complete ban on the possession and consumption of alcohol by crew members aboard U.S.-flagged vessels and outlines a broader framework of reforms aimed at preventing interpersonal violence, including sexual misconduct, while also strengthening mariner health and overall well-being. Central to the recommendations are steps that can be taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration, or MARAD, particularly in areas such as training standards, credentialing, and continuous professional development throughout a mariner’s career.

According to Joshua M. Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and chair of the committee that authored the report, prioritizing safety and wellness is essential for lasting change. He emphasized that creating a work environment free from substance misuse and sexual misconduct is critical to protecting mariners and sustaining the industry over the long term.

Alcohol Policy Reform at Sea
The report highlights that alcohol misuse on vessels has been linked not only to accidents, but also to harmful and unsafe behaviors, including sexual misconduct. To address these risks, the committee recommends prohibiting alcohol possession and use by crew members on all U.S.-registered ships. It also calls on the Coast Guard to modernize maritime alcohol policies so they are consistent with standards used in other transportation sectors, including clearer limits on blood alcohol content and the use of reasonable-cause testing when violations are suspected.

Beyond these measures, alcohol screening should become part of random testing programs, with compliance and enforcement aligned with established industry best practices. The report also proposes changes to mariner credentialing, including the use of validated screening tools for alcohol and other substance misuse during the application process. These tools could help identify individuals at risk and guide them toward appropriate support or intervention. In addition, credentialed mariners would be required to report new alcohol- or substance-related convictions or administrative actions, which should be reviewed before credentials are renewed.

Strengthening Prevention, Reporting, and Accountability
The committee found that current policies addressing substance misuse and sexual misconduct are fragmented and often fall short of the standards seen in other safety-critical industries. To close these gaps, the report recommends improved reporting systems that offer appropriate amnesty to those who come forward, protect reporters from retaliation, and ensure that personnel handling complaints receive mandatory trauma-informed training.

The report also stresses the need for stronger accountability, particularly for ship captains and senior leaders, whose actions and responses play a decisive role in setting onboard culture. Developing clear research-based guidelines and enforcing leadership responsibility are seen as key steps toward meaningful change.

One initiative examined in the report is the Every Mariner Builds a Respectful Culture program, known as EMBARC. Launched in 2021 after allegations of sexual misconduct on commercial vessels, EMBARC is a voluntary program focused on sexual assault prevention and response. While the committee acknowledged its potential, it recommended that MARAD conduct further study to determine how effective the program truly is in reducing misconduct and other prohibited behaviors. The report also argues that the Coast Guard should establish uniform, industry-wide standards for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct on all U.S.-flagged vessels, rather than limiting such expectations to voluntary programs alone.

Focusing on Mental Health and Well-Being
In addition to addressing misconduct, the report underscores the importance of improving access to physical and mental health care for mariners. Long periods at sea, combined with regulatory and logistical barriers, often prevent mariners from receiving timely and effective care. The committee recommends that MARAD evaluate existing insurance coverage, employee assistance programs, and clinician licensing rules to ensure they adequately support mariners’ needs. Research into the effectiveness of different interventions is also encouraged.

Telemedicine is identified as a promising solution, but current state laws can limit a medical professional’s ability to provide care across state lines when a vessel is operating elsewhere. The report calls on Congress to consider legislative changes that would allow health care providers to treat mariners regardless of the ship’s location, helping close critical gaps in access.

Education, Training, and Cultural Change
The committee also consulted leaders from maritime academies and training institutions, who reported ongoing challenges related to alcohol misuse and sexual misconduct on campuses. To set clear expectations from the very start of a mariner’s career, the report recommends that MARAD supply academies and training programs with standardized guidance and educational materials addressing these issues. Compliance with this guidance should be assessed for its effectiveness and incorporated into accreditation and evaluation processes.

Improving Data and Transparency
A recurring concern identified in the study is the lack of comprehensive data on substance misuse and its consequences within the maritime industry. To address this, the report urges the Coast Guard to establish a coordinated data collection effort covering the entire U.S. maritime workforce. This effort should combine information from cadet surveys, substance testing results, disciplinary records related to sexual misconduct, and broader mariner surveys. Such data would make it possible to track the prevalence of risky behaviors, identify trends over time, and better understand how often incidents are reported.

The study was conducted by the Committee on Alcohol at Sea and sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which produced the report, are independent, nonprofit organizations that provide objective analysis and guidance on complex national issues. Operating under a congressional charter established in 1863 and signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the Academies continue to play a central role in informing U.S. public policy related to science, engineering, and medicine.