Inspection Circular 01 – 15. Since these reports must generally be made“ immediately,” it is often prudent to report the incident right away, along with any necessary response actions being undertaken by the vessel to address the situation. Penalties can be significant for failure to report in a timely manner.
Failure to report a“ marine casualty” can result in civil penalties for both individuals and corporate vessel owners and operators. Failure to report a“ hazardous condition” under PWSA regulations can result in both civil and criminal penalties.
Submitting a prompt written or verbal report to the U. S. Coast Guard when an occurrence happens typically fulfills both regulatory requirements. In the event of a reportable“ marine casualty,” the regulation also mandates the submission of CG Form 2692 within five days. This form serves as the method to report to the U. S. Coast Guard the specifics of what occurred.
Conclusion The implementation of the Mediterranean Sea ECA and the upcoming designations of the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as ECAs underscore the continued global commitment to reducing vessel emissions. However, using low sulphur fuels in ECAs may present operational challenges, safety concerns, and legal risks, especially in the United States. As the decarbonization of shipping evolves, the use of alternative fuels and changes to vessel design may exacerbate these risks over time.
To mitigate legal and enforcement risks, vessel owners and operators should review their Safety Management Systems and operational procedures to ensure they align. p – 2025 BLANK ROME LLP
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