Mandatory Requirements for Reporting Marine Casualties

Pursuant to 46 CFR 4.05-1, federal regulations mandate that the owner, operator or person in charge of a vessel must notify the Coast Guard of any marine casualties immediately after addressing pressing safety concerns.

What constitutes as a reportable marine casualty?

All marine causalities must be reported to the nearest Coast Guard Sector office as soon as possible. The USCG defines a reportable marine casualty as any of the following:

• unintended grounding;
• unintended colliding with a bridge;
• an intentional grounding that creates any type of hazard (to navigation, to the environment or to the safety of the vessel);
• when the maneuverability of the ship has been compromised (e.g., loss of propulsion, primary steering issues, etc.);
• any occurrence that affects the ship’s seaworthiness (e.g., fire, flood, lifesaving equipment damage, failure or damages to fixed fire-extinguishing systems, etc.);
• a death;
• injuries that require more than first-aid treatment; and
• any incident incurring more than $25,000 worth of property damage.

Specific Mandatory Reporting Requirements

In December 2010, the USCG released the bulletin, Mandatory Requirements for Reportable Marine Casualties, which all ship owners and operators are expected to read and abide by. The short, one-page bulletin provides specific instructions on what to do after a marine casualty occurs.

All marine causalities are to be reported to the Coast Guard Sector Miami. Immediate notifications should be as detailed as possible and should include at least include the following information:

• vessel name and official number;
• vessel owner’s name;
• the nature and circumstances of the incident;
• where the casualty occurred, including the coordinates;
• the nature and extent of any injuries; and
• information regarding property damage.

In addition to the initial notification, ship owners or operators are required to a send a written report using form CG-2692 within five days from the date of occurrence.

Additional Reporting Requirements

The USCG’s bulletin specifies two additional requirements that are necessary if the marine casualty involves alcohol or a barge:

• Alcohol-related incidents – If the incident involved alcohol or drug use, ship owners are required to submit an additional form, CG-2692B, Report of Required Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident.
• Barge casualties – If the incident involved a USCG-certified barge, form CG-2692A Barge-Addendum, must be submitted when filing the CG-2962.

In addition to submitting detailed reports on marine casualties, the USCG has stringent regulations ship owners and operators must adhere to regarding record keeping. It’s vital to know what your ship’s reporting requirements are and to keep a USCG-compliant logbook carefully to avoid penalties and delays.

Get the Resources You Need to Meet Mandatory Reporting Requirements

At My Vessel Logs, we offer a wide range of logbooks that are meant to meet USCG regulations and keep your vessel compliant. Download our FREE Logbook Quick Reference Guide. To speak with someone about which logbooks may be applicable to your vessel or to place your order, call My Vessel Logs today at (888) 229-5857.