MaritimeSafety Internet Resources

U.S. Maritime Safety Information

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is the leading federal agency for the collection and analysis of marine casualties (accidents). Reportable marine casualties are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, §4.03-1, Marine casualty or accident and §4.05-1, Notice of marine casualty.

Below are links to USCG Web sites for maritime casualty data and reports. (The Homeport web portal uses dynamic linking instead of fixed URLs, so we are providing directions from the main page):

• USCG provides a downloadable file of data on maritime accidents, Marine Casualty and Pollution Data for Researchers.
• USCG works with its official advisory committees to improve maritime safety and a complete list of these committees is in Homeport portal. From the Homeport main page, https://homeport.uscg.mil, under the “Missions” list on the left, select “Ports and Waterways”, and find the “Safety Advisory Committees” section.
• The Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis (CG-INV) manages the Coast Guard's marine casualty and pollution investigation programs and sections include Safety Alerts, Marine Casualty Reports, and Safety Reports on specific issues.
• USCG has a formal safety partnership with the towing industry via its national trade association, the American Waterways Operators (AWO): http://www.americanwaterways.com/initiatives/safety-and-environment/coast-guard-awo-safety-partnership. Other AWO activities related to safety and the environment are at this part of its Web site: http://www.americanwaterways.com/initiatives/safety-and-environment/coast-guard-awo-safety-partnership.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates major maritime accidents. A list of the reports of these investigations is on their Web site at: http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/marine.aspx.

International Maritime Safety Information

We have not identified a source for international maritime safety data. Below are links to the web sites of international maritime organizations that have information on maritime safety issues.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the maritime agency of the United Nations. Here is the link to its safety page: http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/Default.aspx. Please note that access to some of the sites may require registration and many of its publications must be purchased.

INTERTANKO is the international organization for the owners and operators of tank vessels. Its topics page, http://www.intertanko.com/Topics/, includes issues related to safety: "Human Element", "Marine Safety", "Navigation", and "Ports and Terminals". Some of the sites require registration.

INTERCARGO is the international organization for owners and operators of dry bulk vessels. The “Issues” link on its home page, (http://www.intercargo.org/, includes "Casualties and Transparency", "Design Standards", and "Training and Manpower".

The World Ferry Safety Association works to improve ferry safety through improved training and introducing new technology. Its Reports page, http://www.ferrysafety.org/news.htm, lists reports, articles, and news releases related to ferry safety.