Marine Casualty Investigations

(337) 491-7811

The Investigations Department investigates all reportable marine casualties, violations of law or regulation, and acts of misconduct or negligence by licensed or documented merchant mariners. These investigations seek to determine cause and detect violations of law/regulation, which contributed to the cause of the casualty. They also process the necessary paperwork for civil penalty action cases resulting from violations of inspection laws and the negligent operation of vessels. Additionally, they investigate and present before the Administrative Law Judge, when appropriate, suspension and revocation-related issues involving: alleged misconduct; negligence; incompetence by merchant mariners; and violations of dangerous drug laws. The department also actively audits the Marine Employer Chemical Testing Program to ensure compliance with these important regulations.

We investigate marine casualties and accidents to determine the causal factors, so that through regulation and education we might prevent similar incidents from recurring. We also investigate these incidents to collect evidence of misconduct, negligence, or violation of law or regulation by Coast Guard licensed, certificated, or documented members of the Merchant Marine. In these cases, we present our case before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who can suspend or revoke a mariner’s license, or we work with the mariner to develop a joint motion, or mutually agreed upon sanction.

Causes of marine accidents and casualties: Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4 provides a definition of reportable marine casualties.
Alleged misconduct or negligence by Coast Guard licensed, certificated, or documented members of the Merchant Marine. If appropriate, mariners are charged to appear before an ALJ.
Alleged violations of laws and regulations applicable to the maritime industry.
Damage to aids to navigation.
Certain recreational boating deaths, waterfront facility casualties, and others as directed.
Reports of load line violations.

REPORTING PROCEDURES
The owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge is required to report all marine casualties to the local Coast Guard. There are two types of reports required:

An IMMEDIATE report to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit, Marine Inspection Office, or Coast Guard Group Office is required after addressing the resultant safety concerns. IMMEDIATE reports are required for the following casualties:

Unintended grounding, or unintended strike of (allision with) a bridge;
An intended grounding or allision with a bridge causing a hazard to navigation, the environment, or the safety of a vessel;
A loss of main propulsion or steering;
A loss of life;
Injuries requiring professional medical treatment (treatment beyond first aid), and for crew members aboard commercial vessels, any injury rendering the individual unfit to perform their routine duties;
Any occurrence causing damage in excess of $25,000 (to include the cost of labor and material required to restore the property to its condition before the occurrence).

WRITTEN REPORTS ARE REQUIRED:

Within five (5) days of the incident. This WRITTEN report must be delivered to a Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit or Marine Inspection Office. It must be provided on a Form CG-2692 (Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death), supplemented as necessary by appended Forms CG-2692A (Barge Addendum) or CG-2692B (Report of Required Chemical Drug and Alcohol Testing Following a Serious Marine Incident).

For each marine casualty requiring a report, the marine employer shall determine whether there is evidence of alcohol or drug use by individuals directly involved in the casualty. It is the responsibility of the marine employer to file a written report which:

Identifies the individuals for whom evidence of drug or alcohol use has been obtained;
Specifies the method used to obtain such evidence, such as personal observation of the individual, or chemical testing of the individual.
For Serious Marine Incidents, drug and alcohol testing is REQUIRED.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

FORMS:

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Last Modified 1/26/2012

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Marine Casualty Investigations