SUBJECT: Notification Procedures for Crewmen Emergency Medical Requests
When a crewman who has not been inspected, or who has been inspected and not granted Landing Privileges, requires emergency medical treatment ashore, the correct procedure is to immediately notify CBP of the circumstances and request approval to remove the crewman from the vessel. The initial notification should be made to the CBP Operations Desk at (504) 623-6600 and include the following details: name, date of birth, nationality, immigration and visa status, nature of medical emergency, and the location and name of the medical facility to where the crewman will be transported. Exceptions to this procedure would be cases that involve life and death situations. The general CBP procedure is to grant approval to transport the crewman under safeguard and request that the shipping agent follow up by notifying CBP by phone after the guard and the crew-man have returned to the vessel.
If the crewman requires treatment which will not allow him/her to return to the vessel the same day, a medical parole must be requested by the shipping agent. The request should be submitted to the CBP office located at Louis Armstrong International Airport at fax number ( 504) 4682708 following the procedures outlined in Southern Currents No: 14-015 Subject: Parole Requests.
If the crewman has been inspected and granted Dl Landing privileges, a call to CBP is not necessary. However, if the crewman requires treatment which will not allow him/her to return to the vessel the same day or prior to the vessel’s departure, a medical parole must be requested by the shipping agent following the procedure above.
As a reminder: the carrier is responsible for the control and medical expenses of their crewmen and may be subject to fines and penalties for failure to comply with regulations.
If you have any additional questions please contact Chief CBP Officer Troy Simon at (504) 623-6652
