Encl (2) to COMDTINST 16010.8
Passenger Vessel Casualties
Why We Act
Every year, millions of Americans are transported aboard passenger vessels for
vacations, sightseeing, and commuting. As newer vessels are put into use with much
higher passenger capacities and speeds, the risk for a major catastrophe involving a
passenger vessel increases, as does the potential for loss of life. The Coast Guard
actively promotes safety onboard these passenger vessels through education, regulation
and inspection.
Key Factors
Of the passenger vessel casualties that occurred in 1997, 44% were collisions or
were sinkings or capsizings. Training, planning, preventative maintenance and other
human factors continue to play a central role in nearly every passenger vessel casualty.
For example, collisions, allisions, and groundings can all generally be traced to
inadequate vessel management, poor navigation, or failure to maintain a proper watch.
Furthermore, passenger vessels transport people who are often unfamiliar with the
procedures for reacting to these dangerous incidents. Since most cruise ships are
foreign flagged, the Coast Guard does not have complete inspection authority; flag state
regulators and classification societies make up the other oversight sources.
Strategies
The Coast Guard actively participates in the development of international safety
standards dealing with fire protection, management practices, watchkeeping, and
emergency drills. We provide consultations to maritime interests on the revised
Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping.
We also administer a Control Verification program that monitors the safety of all
vessels that embark passengers from U.S. ports. The program consists of an initial
examination as well as quarterly and annual examinations. The new International Safety
Management Code is aggressively enforced. Research and development efforts are utilized
to improve safety equipment and reveal how human decisions play a role in accidents.
For those incidents that do occur, the Coast Guard maintains a search and rescue
capability to minimize loss of life.
Coordination
The Coast Guard coordinates with OSHA in developing vessel health standards that reduce
the risk of casualties. The Coast Guard also works with the National Transportation
Safety Board to investigate major maritime accidents and use the investigation results
to develop better safety strategies; it investigates less serious incidents to determine
causes and identify trends. The Coast Guard works with the International Maritime
Organization to improve the level of safety standards on a worldwide basis.
Through the Prevention Though People initiative, the Coast Guard has a partnership with
the Passenger Vessel Association to identify and mitigate safety risks. The Coast Guard
has also established several Outlines of Cooperation with Classification Societies.
These organizations serve to regulate the industry and reduce the risk of accidents.
Lloyd's Register of Shipping is a well known classification society.
12 Safety