Losing AB license due to sleep disorder

I have been diagnosed with narcolepsy but have never had problems with it at my job. I work inshore on a tug boat. The CG has sent me a notice of a hearing to revoke my license. Is there any help out there for a civilian vs. the CG?

You mean endorsement right?

Never heard of someone walking into a doctors office for a yearly checkup and coming out diagnosed with narcolepsy? Did the company send you there to get checked up on? Are they a few write up on you for sleeping on watch? I mean How did this come about? Did you fall asleep in the doctors office?

I’ve personally have only seen one case and that was in the Navy. They kicked him out of the Nuc program and was sent to sea as and Seaman. He was finally kicked out of the Navy after 3 years. He would fall asleep while driving the ship. It wasn’t like you would see in the movies like all of a sudden, but would happen in a 2 minute span.

ForkandBlade, there are plenty of ways to be witty and sarcastic but in this circumstance pull your head in and exercise some tact. The fella’s livelihood is at stake and he is asking a very fair question. Scurry back to Facebook with the rest of your classmates.

I’ve posted too many self portraits in my car on facebook already today. I might have to get a Twitter account and follow the Kardashian brother or something to occupy my time.

Buy the best doctor you can, and fight it. The real question is, how did they find out, did you know you had it, and they caught you, because thats usually the case when they go to suspend someones ticket. I understand your worried about your job, but the coast guard has really been on top of physicals anymore, any minor thing is sent to the medical review board. If i get one more dumb ass kirby tankerman, over to our boat asking about a job, with his “tankerman license” im going to scream.

If you really have narcolepsy, sad to say but this job is not right for u. This is to keep you and the crew out of danger…i know you never had a problem with this, but its not impossible to happen the first time…I suggest that you go and check with different Dr.'s and confirmed if you really got it…If you got it and uscg takes your endorsement…im sure I will be dissapointed but it is the right thing to do, in order to keep you away from a whole lot of troubles if…just my opinion…

I just renewed an they gave me a medical waiver for a head injury. I now have to have a neurology review every year to keep my credentials. It might be worth looking into something similar for yourself.

[QUOTE=mastory;97647]I have been diagnosed with narcolepsy but have never had problems with it at my job. I work inshore on a tug boat. The CG has sent me a notice of a hearing to revoke my license. Is there any help out there for a civilian vs. the CG?[/QUOTE]

You may want to search for a maritime attorney who is well versed in these matters. He/she can help steer you through the hearing and appeals process. Be prepared to spend a lot of dough. Look for maritime attorneys/maritime injury attorneys. I believe first consult is free. Good luck.

First, you should get a second opinion on that diagnosis from on of the top 10 narcolepsy specialists in the USA. Then if you do have it, see what he recommends for a treatment and/or management plan.

The first thing a lawyer would have to do anyway is hire a medical expert. Furthermore, this is definitely not a maritime law issue. Its an administrative law issue.

Narcolepsy is a treatable although not curable syndrome

[QUOTE=miami;97747]If you really have narcolepsy, sad to say but this job is not right for u. This is to keep you and the crew out of danger…i know you never had a problem with this, but its not impossible to happen the first time.[/QUOTE]

I would agree with this.

A true story…not to make light of narcoleptics, but this one is a dark humor kind of thing.

I had a deckhand with me at McAllister in Baltimore back in the 90’s. He was/is narcoleptic and I saw him nod out a few times before my very eyes. Very dangerous thing on a ship docking tug (or any vessel for that matter).

One springtime afternoon on the old “Britannia”, we were heading down river for an inbound ship. The “JP” had already picked up the docking pilot over at Dundalk and I was slow belling it towards the Key Bridge. The chief was either in the engine room or back in his room and I could hear the deckhand in the galley rattling pots and pans around.

Enjoying the beautiful weather, all windows down, I gave little thought to the deckhand down below as we passed the west channel of Dundalk.

10 or 15 minutes went by and the peace was shattered by a blood curdling scream from below.

I pointed the boat towards number four anchorage stopped the engine and let her drift out of the Fort McHenry channel and dashed below.

Upon entering the galley, I saw my deckhand with what looked like a frying pan glued to the side of his head. During the warm weather, we normally used a two burner electric hot plate instead of the oil fired stove. The hot plate would sit atop the cold iron stove.

As I was to find out, the deckhand had turned on the hot plate and placed the frying pan on it while making his hamburger patty. While he was waiting for the element to heat up and the pan to get hot, he nodded out and dropped the right side of his face into the frying pan. The scream I had heard was his coming to as the pan became red hot, cooking the side of his face & head!

Poor bastard I thought! I headed back out and up to the wheelhouse, called the dispatcher on the house VHF channel to arrange an ambulance to meet us over at Dundalk. The chief kept him company in the galley until we got alongside, urging him NOT to try and remove the frying pan from the side of his face until we got help.

Too this day, I can’t fry a hamburger without thinking of that poor deckhand and the frying pan stuck to the side of his face. So much for those “non stick” surfaces.