1. Marine Casualty from an Investigators Perspective
LCDR Travis Collier
Sector New Orleans
Senior Investigating Officer

2. Purpose Promote Safety of Life & Property at Sea
Are Not Intended to Affix Civil or Criminal Responsibility
46 CFR
46 CFR : Immediately after addressing resultant safety concerns
Who can notify
Penalties for failure to notify
4/4/2019
Unclassified

3. Casualty Response COMMAND CENTER
Master shall report (504) , VHF channel 16
Notification starts the clock
Triage situation and devote appropriate resources
Injuries
Pollution
Damage/stability of vessels involved
DMI/IO brief
*Gain overall perspective of situation – pictures may be asked for
4/4/2019
Unclassified

4. Casualty Response DIO - Vessel-Operator
DIO focuses on causal factors to correct or prevent the accident.
Establish preceding actions, equipment conditions, training/development, ship operations
Communicate recovery requirements
Safety, Operations, Mariner Training Plans
4/4/2019
Unclassified

5. Investigations Discoveries
Navigation Safety Assessments
Depth Sounders
Material Condition (Slips/Trips/Falls)
Rate of Turn
Proper Communication of Passing/Meeting Arrangements
Cell Phone Use/Bridge Resource Management
SMS/TSMS Implementation
4/4/2019
Unclassified

6. Frequent Accident Locations
College Point (LMR – MM 156)
Gramercy Bridge (LMR – MM 143)
Sunshine Bridge (LMR – MM 167)
St. John’s Fleet (LMR – MM 139)
Kenner Bend /AMA Anchorages (LMR – MM )
Huey P. Long (LMR – MM106)
9 Mile Point (LMR – MM 103)
Wills Point (LMR – MM 66)
4/4/2019
Unclassified

7. CWO3 Jacob Moss Sector New Orleans Towing Vessel Coordinator
Casualty Roles/Responsibilities, Casualty Response & Casualty Documentation
CWO3 Jacob Moss
Sector New Orleans
Towing Vessel Coordinator

8. Master’s Responsibilities
46 CFR – Stability Water tight integrity
46 CFR – Responsibilities of Master
46 CFR (b) – Unsafe Conditions
46 CFR Nav assessments
46 CFR (a) - Master resp. for drills
Notification of Marine Casualties to Coast Guard.
46 CFR – Responsibilities of Master
Adherence to COI – (Important for master to under stand the COI)
Compliance w/ the applicable provisions of this subchapter;
Compliance w/ the TSMS
Supervision of all persons onboard in carrying out their assigned duties – GIVE AN EXAMPLE – PROPER OPERATION OF INSTALLED FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM ONBOARD
46 CFR (b) – Unsafe Conditions ***MASTERS NEED YOUR SUPPORT***
If the master believes it is unsafe for the vessel to proceed, that an operation endangers the vessel or crew, or that an unsafe condition exists, he or she must ensure that adequate corrective action is taken and must not proceed until it is safe to do so.
4/4/2019
Unclassified

9. Responsibilities Verify compliance w/ Regulations & Policy
COAST GUARD
Verify compliance w/ Regulations & Policy
Provide Regulation Accountability to Industry
Marine Casualty Response
Resource for Industry
Keep River Open/Waterways Mgmt
Manage/oversee casualty response.
Incident Management Division (IMD) – Pollution
Waterways Management – River traffic related situations
Domestic Inspections – Inspections, Marine Casualty
Investigations Office – People, Environment, Property, Economy
4/4/2019
Unclassified

10. Casualty Response DMI - Vessel-Operator
DMI should confirm that it is an appropriate time to talk!
Establish clear picture for personnel
Coordinate/Communicate response requirements
All parties have proper understanding of total situation
Transit Plan
Clarify/Verify situation and gain an overall perspective enabling ability to manage response activities.
Depending on severity of situation, may attend.
YOUR CAPTAINS SHOULD KNOW:
Has the vessel been issued a COI?
Is the vessel CG option or TSMS?
If TSMS who is TPO?
What are the Marine Casualty reporting requirements as noted in the Safety Management System?
Have the reporting requirements been followed and who has been notified?
What intentions do have with the vessel?
Transit plan should contain voyage to repair facility!
WHY?
Clarify status and verify that the TSMS is implemented and being followed!
4/4/2019
Unclassified

11. Transit Plan/Permit to Proceed
Provides transparency of operations
Risk assessment
Route
Casualty/damage monitoring
Identifies any transit requirements
Marine Casualty – Repair facility
TRANSIT PLAN –
should be required for transit and include all operations (Cargo, dewatering, stability monitoring etc.) from Marine casualty to confirmed repair facility.
ALL requirements noted in transit plans should be noted in Navigational assessments and voyage plans.
4/4/2019
Unclassified

12. Permit to Proceed (46 CFR 136.240)
Utilized to transit to “other “ ports with damage for repairs
Enables communication between OCMI zones
Highlights any requirements not identified in Transit Plan
PERMIT TO PROCEED
Additional documentation prompting communication between OCMI zone where damage occurred and all zones intended to be transited.
May outline specific requirements noted during duty personnel communications such as notification upon entering OCMI zones.
4/4/2019
Unclassified

13. Responsibilities TPO (46 CFR 139.115)
Conduct TSMS Audits & Surveys, Issue Results
Issue TSMS Certs. for compliant partners
Conduct Towing Vessel Surveys for Compliance Verification w/ Sub M & TSMS Cert. Compliance
Coast Guard has limited resources and lack of availability.
Coast Guard may encourage utilization of TPO’s for timeliness of repairs due to limited resources
TPO & local OCMI/DMI should work closely together in order to meet industry needs.
However the TPO does charge for attendance.
Industry partner may weigh cost benefit/timeliness for response
4/4/2019
Unclassified

14. Responsibilities OWNER/OPERATOR (46 CFR 137.120)
Ensure Towing Vessel is Compliant w/ Sub M & other Applicable Regulations At All Times.
Correct Deficiencies in a Timely Manner
Support Master & have a Proper Understanding of Daily Operations Onboard
Be in compliance. CG /TPO position is to aid the owner/operator in compliance but ultimately it is the responsibility of O/O to be compliant.
************SUPPORT & EMPOWER YOUR CAPTAINS*********
4/4/2019
Unclassified

15. Documenting Deficiencies
835 (shall be issued for material deficiencies)is entered into MISLE, public/visible if accessible
835 (Worklist) – not public/no access, used for documentation and tracking purposes only.
835 (Detention) – objective evidence illustrates that a serious substandard condition is not being “proactively managed”
If the vessel is involved in a reportable Marine Casualty or Serious Marine Incident a public 835 shall be issued.
CVC –PR-001(1) Also refers guidance in the Procedures for Port State Control IMO Res. A.1119(30) appendix 2, IRT to detention of ships.
4/4/2019
Unclassified

16. Steering Capabilities
Tug Assistance
Case By Case Basis
Tow
Current
Weather
Location
Voyage Length
Steering Capabilities
Situational Awareness
River Traffic
Please understand that when operating in the LMR (Especially at high water) that the OCMI/DMI may require tug assistance.
Determined on a Case-by Case basis
We have received considerable feedback on this requirement and we are adjusting our approach to case-by-case basis, this is the criteria that will determine whether tug assistance is required.
If there is a tow and there is propulsion, steering, or damage near/below waterline an assist tug will be requied.
4/4/2019
Unclassified

17. Navigational Assessment
Currents
Lock Transits
Water Depth/River Stage
Navigational Hazards (Obstructions)
Wind & Weather(to include changes)
Mariners Broadcasts, Safety/security Zones, Special Nav. Areas
Marine Traffic (Density)
Tow configuration, handling characteristics, field of vision, onboard activities
Nav. Equip. Status
Knowledge, qualifications, limitations of crew
Air Draft of overhead obstructions - Bridges
Any special considerations not covered that may impact safety
Horizontal Clearances
*********VOYAGE PLAN IS NOT A NAV ASSESSMENT******
Master MUST conduct Nav Assessment prior to getting underway
Must assess risk & anticipate/manage workload
Should/may be utilized to affect voyage planning
Must be kept up to date to reflect conditions/circumstances
At each change of watch on coming officer must review the current assessment
Must be recorded in TVR, Official Log or as per the TSMS to include date/time & name assessor
4/4/2019
Unclassified