MSD Sturgeon Bay Marine Casualty Reporting
What is a Marine Casualty?
Any casualty on a vessel (including a FOREIGN vessel) must be reported if it occurs upon the navigable waters of the U.S., it's territories or possessions; or whenever an accident involves a U.S. vessel, wherever the accident may occur (46 CFR 4.05); and involves one of the following:
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An unintended grounding, or an unintended strike of (allision with) a bridge; 46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(1)
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An intended grounding, or an intended strike of a bridge, that creates a hazard to navigation, the environment, or the safety of a vessel, or that meets any criterion of the following paragraphs; 46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(2)
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A LOSS OF MAIN PROPULSION, PRIMARY STEERING, or any associated component or control system that reduces the maneuverability of the vessel; (46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(3))
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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; (46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(4))
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A LOSS OF LIFE; (46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(5))
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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; (46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(6))
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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, dry-docking, or demurrage. (46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(7))
Whenever a marine casualty meets one or
more of the criteria above, it must be reported to the Coast Guard on a "Report
of Marine Accident, Injury or Death" (CG-2692 Form).
If there is an incident that doesn't meet
one of these reporting criteria, but you feel would be useful to the Coast
Guard in promoting marine safety, please feel free to contact MSD Sturgeon
Bay. This would include "near-miss" events, unsafe operating procedures,
illegal operations, navigation hazards, etc.. The information you provide
may be helpful in the Coast Guard's efforts to work in concert with industry
to prevent mishaps.
When To Use A "Report of Marine Accident, Injury or Death" (CG-2692 Form)
The regulations require immediate notification of reportable casualties to the CG Marine Safety Office. This is to be followed up with written notification on a (CG-2692) within five (5) days.
The desired intent for marine casualty reporting is:
1. To allow CG Marine Safety Office to provide immediate assistance as soon as the notification has been received;
2. To gather casualty statistics, which will improve personnel and vessel operating safety. The data is gathered to show trends and common causes of casualties. A good rule of thumb for when to fill out a CG-2692 is "WHEN IN DOUBT, FILL IT OUT!!".
It should be noted that failure to report a bona fide casualty could result in:
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A civil penalty ($25,000 max.) against the vessel owner, operator, master or person in charge of the vessel and/or
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Action of misconduct against a U.S. issued license or document for violation of a regulation.
CASUALTIES INVOLVING FOREIGN VESSELS
Foreign vessels are required to report casualties that occur in the navigable waters of the U.S. (12 NM from baseline), its territories or possessions just as U.S. vessels. Likewise, this applies to a marine casualty involving a U.S. citizen on a foreign passenger carrying vessel "operating south of 75 degrees north latitude, west of 35 degrees west longitude, and east of the International Date Line; or operating in the area south of 60 degrees south latitude that - A) embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States; or B) transports passengers traveling under any form of air and sea ticket package marketed in the United States" (46 USC 6101(e)(1)). Foreign vessels carrying oil in bulk as cargo, or as cargo residue, may have to report certain casualties that occur in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including Exclusive Economic Zone (see 46 USC 6101(d)2). Also foreign vessels are subject to the same penalties for failure to report. The Chemical Testing criteria also apply.
SERIOUS MARINE INCIDENTS
A Serious Marine Incident (SMI) is defined as one of the reportable casualties addressed above that result in:
- One or more deaths;
- An injury to a crewmember, passenger, or other person which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid, and in the case of a person employed on board a vessel in commercial service, which renders the individual unfit to perform routine vessel duties;
- Damage to property, as defined above, that exceeds $100,000;
- Actual or constructive total loss of any ve ssel subject to inspection under 46 USC 3301; or
- Actual or constructive total loss of any self-propelled vessel, not subject to inspection under 46 USC 3301, of 100 gross tons or more.
- A discharge of oil of 10,000 gallons or more, or the discharge of a hazardous substance in a reportable quantity into the navigable waters of the U.S. and the environment whether or not resulting from a marine casualty.
Following a Serious Marine Incident" (CG-2692B) Form.
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