Maritime USCG SAP Program
DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional services for merchant mariners. We guide you through every step of the USCG return-to-duty process so you can get your MMC reinstated and get back on the water.
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DOT-Qualified SAPs
USCG / 49 CFR Part 40 Compliant
Telehealth & In-Person Options
Available in all 50 States
Same-Week Evaluations
One Failed Test Doesn't End Your Career. Let's Get You Back on the Water
Are you a mariner who failed or refused a drug test? Before you can return to a safety-sensitive job, you must complete the SAP process.
At American River Wellness Recovery, we help you finish the program quickly. We work with deckhands, riggers, oilers, and officers across every vessel type.
You don’t need to travel to complete the program. Our evaluations are available virtually, so you can start today, whether you’re offshore, on inland waterways, or in a port anywhere in the States.
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Fill Out a Quick Form
Start by filling out this short form to book a time that works for you.
If you’d rather talk to someone, you can call or text us at 916-282-0866.
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Begin
Initial evaluation within 24-48 hours
USCG SAP PROGRAM COST
Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.- Initial SAP evaluation and assessment report
- Custom treatment or education referral plan
- Progress monitoring throughout your program
- Final evaluation and RTD test eligibility reporting
- Follow-up testing schedule and coordination
- Direct submission of all required documents
- Consultation support for 5 years after completion
Why Choose American River Wellness
4000+ DOT SAP evaluations completed since 2018
Meets DOT requirements for online assessments
Clear guidance through each step of the DOT process
Multilingual support, including Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Russian, Uzbek, and Turkish
Serving all 50 states
Meet Your SAP
Graham Sargent
CEAP, CADC-III-ICADC, IS, SAP
At the heart of American River Wellness is Graham Sargent, a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience working with safety-sensitive employees, individuals in the criminal justice and child welfare systems, and those affected by substance use.
Graham built this practice with a simple mission: to offer personalized, compassionate support to every client navigating the DOT return-to-duty process.
Unlike larger providers that rely on call centers or automated systems, Graham works directly with clients, giving you one-on-one attention, expert guidance, and tailored care from start to finish.
He’s passionate about helping individuals return to work safely and confidently, while also supporting public safety and workplace compliance.
With 4000+ DOT SAP evaluations completed since 2018, Graham brings a deep understanding of the process and a genuine commitment to your success.
Have any questions about the return to duty process?
We’re here to help. Give us a call today.
What Mariners Need to Know About USCG Compliance
Ships move nearly 7 out of 10 goods traded by the US around the world. This industry generates more than $476 billion each year and provides over 2.4 million jobs.
But ships don’t just carry the goods out of the States. They also move the cargo across the country. In 2022, the country handled around 1.1 billion short tons of freight throughout US waters, including products like petroleum, grain, coal, chemicals, steel, and construction materials.
You must have a Merchant Mariner Credential to work in this industry, and the US Coast Guard regulates that credential. If you fail or refuse a drug test, they put you into a prohibited status instantly. This means you can’t perform your work duty until you pass the return-to-duty process.
Every week you wait means more lost income. It also puts your credentials at risk.
Here are the laws and regulations you must know as a mariner:
The Coast Guard may put you through chemical testing several times during your career. You must pass a drug test before getting an original Merchant Mariner Credential, and another one for renewals, raises of grade, and new endorsements. There’s also a 50% random testing rate on an annual basis. The Coast Guard can lower that rate, in case industry-wide positive results stay under 1% for two years straight.
If you fail or refuse a test, the law presumes you’re using. In that case, your employer must report the result to the nearest Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. You lose the right to work in a safety-sensitive position immediately and your credential faces suspension and revocation proceedings under 46 CFR Part 5.
Your return-to-duty test results must be negative, and your SAP needs to provide a completed report confirming you met every recommendation. Only then can your employer decide to bring you back to safety-sensitive work. Meeting the requirements doesn’t guarantee they’ll reinstate you, but it makes it possible.
If you get into a serious marine incident, your employer must test you for drugs and alcohol, regardless of whether you’re responsible or not. The Coast Guard treats these test results the same as random and reasonable suspicion tests.
When you violate a DOT drug and alcohol regulation, you cannot go back to safety-sensitive work before you complete this process, regardless if you switch employers or vessel type.
The employer must provide you with a list of qualified SAPs, but doesn’t have to pay for the evaluation or treatment. Unless the union or your employer says otherwise, the cost falls on you.
If an employer fails to carry out the required drug and alcohol testing or report the results, that can cost them up to $5,000 per violation. And each day of a continuing violation counts as a separate violation.
Ready to Get Started?
Don’t let a failed test end your career. Contact American River Wellness today to begin your return-to-duty process.
FAQs
If you breach a USCG or DOT drug and alcohol regulation, you can’t return to safety-sensitive maritime duties before completing a SAP evaluation.
During the evaluation, a DOT- and USCG-qualified SAP will:
- Review the circumstances of your violation
- Evaluate your substance use history
- Decide whether you need education, treatment, or both
- Track your progress
- Determine when you’re ready to return to work
Depending on your situation, your plan may include counseling, education programs, or treatment. After that, you’ll attend a follow-up SAP evaluation. Once you’ve successfully completed the process, your SAP will provide the documentation needed for you to go back to work.
You cannot resume safety-sensitive maritime duties until you complete every step.
The USCG SAP program applies to credentialed mariners who commit DOT drug and alcohol testing violations while on safety-sensitive maritime functions.
This may include:
- Merchant mariners
- Captains and pilots
- Deck officers and engineers
- Tank vessel and tugboat crew members
- Ferry operators
- Offshore and inland waterway personnel
- Any mariner required to comply with USCG drug and alcohol testing regulations
If you receive a positive drug test, refuse a required drug or alcohol test, or commit another DOT drug and alcohol violation, you’ll need to complete the SAP return-to-duty process before resuming covered maritime duties.
The right SAP provider helps you complete the process more smoothly and return to safety-sensitive maritime duties sooner. Look for a provider that offers:
- Fast virtual appointments — Online evaluations with same-day or next-day availability, allowing you to begin the process whether you’re offshore, working on inland waterways, serving on the Great Lakes, or operating from any U.S. port.
- Clear communication — Your SAP should explain each step and your responsibilities, what comes next, and what you must do to complete the process.
- Transparent pricing — You should know the full cost of your SAP evaluation before you schedule your appointment, with no hidden fees. Payment plans should be available when needed.
- DOT- and USCG-qualified professionals — Your SAP should hold federally recognized credentials, such as Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), Intervention Specialist (IS), and DOT Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (DOT SAP), ensuring your evaluation meets federal requirements.
- End-to-end support — Your SAP should help you connect to education, counseling, or treatment services instead of leaving you to navigate the process alone.
- Ongoing availability — Federal regulations require your SAP to retain your records for five years and remain available to provide documentation, answer employer questions, and assist with follow-up requirements throughout your return-to-duty process.
Here’s a step-by-step overview of what you can expect:
- Contact Us — Whether you’re working on the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, inland waterways, or offshore, you can begin your USCG SAP evaluation today. With our secure virtual appointments, it’s easy to complete your evaluation from anywhere.
- Initial SAP Evaluation — Meet one-on-one with a USCG-qualified SAP who will assess your violation and determine what you need to do before returning to work.
- Complete Your Education or Treatment Plan — Based on your evaluation, your SAP will recommend a personalized education and/or treatment program. You must complete all recommendations before moving forward.
- Follow-Up SAP Evaluation — After completing your assigned program, you’ll meet with your SAP for a follow-up evaluation. If you’ve successfully complied with all recommendations, the SAP will determine that you’ve successfully completed the process and are eligible to continue toward returning to safety-sensitive maritime duties.
- SAP Documentation Provided — After finishing your recommendations, you’ll meet with your SAP again, and they’ll determine whether you’ve successfully complied with the required program.
- Follow-Up Testing and Monitoring — Once you return to safety-sensitive duties, your SAP prepares the required documentation for your employer or other authorized parties as part of your return-to-duty process.
Yes. A verified positive USCG drug test is reported to the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center and becomes part of your record for credentialing purposes.
Future maritime employers running a background check may also see the violation.
Completing the SAP return-to-duty process and following your follow-up testing plan is what restores your eligibility to work.
Yes, there are specific support services available for personnel. These services may include counseling, rehabilitation programs, and support groups tailored to the unique needs of military personnel.
No, personnel cannot perform safety-sensitive duties while undergoing the SAP Return to Duty process. They must complete the process, including passing the return-to-duty test, before resuming their roles.
Most straightforward cases are completed in 30–60 days from initial evaluation to return-to-duty clearance. Cases requiring more intensive treatment can take 60–90+ days. The single biggest factor is how quickly you complete the prescribed education or treatment program in Step 2.
Yes. DOT amended Part 40 to allow telehealth SAP evaluations using approved real-time video platforms. American River Wellness Recovery offers DOT-compliant telehealth evaluations for mariners in all 50 states.
Not in a safety-sensitive role on a vessel. You can perform non-safety-sensitive shore-side work if your employer permits it, but you cannot return to operating, navigating, or any safety-sensitive duty until you’ve passed the return-to-duty test and your SAP has cleared you.
A failed follow-up test starts the entire process over. You’ll be removed from safety-sensitive duty and must complete a new SAP evaluation, prescribed program, and return-to-duty test. This is why follow-up plans are taken seriously – non-compliance has the same consequences as the original violation.
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