Coast Guard Provides Clarification on Requirements for Reporting Marine Casualties
Anchorage, AK (Sept. 29, 2008): In response to the recent failure of three commercial vessels to report significant marine casualties to the Coast Guard in a timely manner Coast Guard Sector Anchorage is providing clarification on reporting requirements through public release and a marine safety bulletin.
In a rash of recent events two fishing vessels and a landing craft (miscellaneous cargo vessel) sustained damage in Western Alaska that required notification to the Coast Guard and damage assessments. In one case temporary repairs were effected before any Coast Guard personnel could assess the damage and make recommendations on how to proceed safely.
In accordance with 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 4.05-1, immediately after addressing safety concerns, the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge, shall notify the nearest Coast Guard sector office or marine safety detachment whenever a vessel is involved in a marine casualty consisting of:
(1) An unintended grounding, or an unintended strike of (allision with) a bridge;
(2) An intended grounding, or an intended strike of a bridge, that creates a hazard to navigation, the environment, or the safety of a vessel;
(3) A loss of main propulsion, primary steering, or any associated component or control system that reduces the maneuverability of the vessel;
(4) An occurrence materially and adversely affecting the vessel's seaworthiness or fitness for service or route, including but not limited to fire, flooding, or failure of or damage to fixed fire-extinguishing systems, lifesaving equipment, auxiliary power-generating equipment, or bilge-pumping systems;
(5) A loss of life;
(6) An injury that requires professional medical treatment (treatment beyond first aid) and, if the person is engaged or employed on board a vessel in commercial service, that renders the individual unfit to perform his or her routine duties; or
(7) An occurrence causing property-damage in excess of $25,000, this damage including the cost of labor and material to restore the property to its condition before the occurrence, but not including the cost of salvage, cleaning, gas-freeing, drydocking, or demurrage.
(8) An occurrence involving significant harm to the environment as defined in §4.03-65.
Along with the immediate notification, a written report must be submitted to the appropriate Captain of the Port within five days of the marine casualty. The written report must be provided on Form CG-2692 (Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death), supplemented as necessary by appended Forms CG-2692A (Barge Addendum) and CG-2692B (Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident). The five day requirement does not mean five days after the vessel has returned to port.
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a maximum penalty of $27,000 or personnel action against merchant mariner credential.
Contact: Petty Officer Sara Francis
Phone: (907) 271.2660 (o) / (907) 321.4510 (m)
Contact numbers for the Alaska based marine safety personnel are below:
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage - (907) 271.6700.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez - (907) 835.7200.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak - (907) 486.5918.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Kenai - (907) 283.3292.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska - (907) 581.3466.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau - (907) 463.2450.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Ketchikan - (907) 225.4496.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Sitka - (907) 966.5454.
Online Coast Guard notification forms may be found at:
http://www.uscg.mil/forms/cg.asp
Direct links to the .pdf version of the forms are below:
Form CG-2692 (Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death)
http://www.uscg.mil/forms/cg/CG_2692.pdf
Form CG-2692A (Barge Addendum)
http://www.uscg.mil/forms/cg/CG_2692A.pdf
CG-2692B (Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident)
http://www.uscg.mil/forms/cg/CG_2692B.pdf
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