Phil Schifflin, the Center for Mariner Advocacy Director, recently attended the National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (NMEDMAC) meeting in Piney Point, MD. NMEDMAC has six workgroups focusing on various issues that impact U.S. mariners. Phil has been participating in the efforts of four of the workgroups: 1) Recommendations on Mariner Mental Health; 2) Recommendations on Appropriate Diets and Wellness for Mariners While Onboard Merchant Vessels; 3) Review of Medical Regulations and Policy to Identify Potential Barriers to Women in the U.S. Maritime Workforce; 4) Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Prevention and Culture Change in the Merchant Marine.

At this NMEDMAC meeting, the workgroups were meeting simultaneously, so Phil could not participate in all the workgroups he was interested in supporting. He elected to focus on the SASH workgroup, which seemed to have the most issues on its agenda. Phil helped the group prepare recommendations for the U.S. Coast Guard to consider in its effort to help prevent SASH incidents and improve responses to them when they occur.