(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard publishes “findings of concern” to alert stakeholders about safety risks discovered during incident investigations. These findings do not require action but rather are intended to encourage voluntary safety measures or adherence to existing regulations.
Unlike urgent safety alerts that require immediate industry attention, findings of concern serve as lessons that should be applied in a systematic manner to prevent similar incidents in the future. Full finding reports, with all recommendations and casual factors included, can be found on the Coast Guard’s website.
• Report 008-24: While a towboat was shuttling two vehicles across the Mississippi River using a deck barge on the hip, one vehicle rolled backward off the barge into the water. Recommendations include installation of barriers; provide safety orientation to all passengers; use tire chocks.
• Report 007-24: A cargo vessel struck an anchored recreational vessel that the crew was unable to see from the line of sight of the wheelhouse. Recommendations include evaluate line of sight prior to getting underway, and use a lookout for blind spots.
• Report 004-24: A towing vessel struck ground on the Atchafalaya River while following a years-old track line on its electronic chart display system that was made shortly after the channel was dredged. Recommendations include scheduling regular track line updates using current light lists, marine safety information bulletins, and local notices to mariners.
– American Waterways Operators
