CG Physicals vs. FAA

**Captmad** · November 30th, 2009, 01:23 AM

FAA physicals are done by physicans that actually see a person and then make a determination about airworthiness.

Our CG physicals (CG-714) are made out and signed by an MD most familiar with our medical well being. Then reviewed by a someone that never personally sees us and then makes determinations about our seaworthiness. Sometimes after much waiting and alot of paperwork.

Why didn't our CG use the FAA model in regards to physical ability determinations? Too expensive to teach FAA doctors about the physical demands of going to sea?

Just wondering or am I the only one bothered by this?

**Jemplayer** · November 30th, 2009, 07:05 AM

Why would a government agency borrow from another agency a program that seems to work, or at least have some of the bugs worked out when you can start your own program from scratch and spend twice the money, time, and frustrate as many people as possible?

**skycowboy** · November 30th, 2009, 07:22 AM

Yeah, and be sure they include the waiver of demonstrated ability.

You know, the one that says you don't actually meet the medical requirements, but because you haven't crashed, we will still let you fly until you do.

**RkyMtn Paul** · December 1st, 2009, 04:04 AM

The physical for a CDL is easier than both those. I think they are only interested if you can pee clean, and not a Type 1 diabetic. Think of that the next time your home, driving next to a big rig, especially one loaded with fuel. :-)

**seadog6608** · December 1st, 2009, 10:54 AM

I have a CDL in addition to my maritime creds. DOT won't accept the USCG physical and USCG won't accept the DOT. Truely amazing.

**NAUTICART** · December 1st, 2009, 12:11 PM

Deleted post, bad info....

Thanks J.D.

**jdcavo** · December 1st, 2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by NAUTICART

More imput on the medical eval backlog in this article from Workboat.com. Sept '09

The article is old, and the information in it no longer accurate (an article in a Sept. issue was probably written in early summer). Additional medical staff was added during the late spring/early summer and the "backlog" in medical nearly eliminated. The immediate effect was to push the congestion further downstream in the process to the proffessional evaluations division. By adding additional personnel, that problem was substantially reduced and average net prosessing times from filing the application to issuing the credential to less than 30 days.

**Captmad** · December 2nd, 2009, 04:57 AM

Mr. Cavo,
I do not understand what is wrong with an attending physican making a seaworthiness determination first hand in the presence of the seaman, like our FAA.

Something obviously escapes me.