Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 3212 SEPTEMBER 2016 • FOGHORN Certified interior and exterior seating and accessories for any commercial vessel • Passenger seats • Interior benches • Exterior benches • Fold up seat • Helm seat • Bar stool •Tub chair •Tables • Full range of accessories Certified interior and exterior seating and accessories for any commercial vessel • Passenger seats • Interior benches • Exterior benches • Fold up seat • Helm seat • Bar stool •Tub chair •Tables • Full range of accessories B y law, the occurrence of a “reportable incident” triggers certain legal obligations on the part of any American licensed or documented mariner, and arguably, the mariner’s employer as well. Coast Guard regulations at 46 CFR sec. 4.05-1 define reportable incidents as including any of the following: (1) unintended grounding or unintended strike of a bridge (also known as an “allision”); (2) intended grounding or allision that creates a hazard to navigation, safety or the environment; (3) loss of main propulsion or primary steering system or any component of either that reduces the vessel’s maneuverability; (4) any occurrence ma- terially and adversely affecting the vessel’s seaworthiness; (5) loss of life; (6) any injury requiring professional treatment beyond first aid; (7) an occurrence causing property damage in excess of $25,000; and (8) an occurrence involving signifi- cant harm to the environment. If the mariner or employer is in doubt as to the meanings of any of these, the regulation provides greater details as to specific examples and cross ref- erences to additional explanatory information. The regula- tions are easily accessible on line at www.ecfr.gov. Understanding the Reporting Process Once a reportable incident has occurred, the mariner, or the mariner’s representative, has two reporting require- ments that must be met. The first is to make an oral report to the nearest Coast Guard Sector Command Center via VHF radio or telephone. This oral report is due “immedi- ately after addressing of resultant safety concerns.” The report may be made by the “owner, agent, master, operator or person in charge.” Note that the report may be made by the vessel’s owner or operator. We know of cases in which passenger vessel operators do assume the responsibility for By William Hewig III, KP/Law LEGAL How Late or Non-Reporting of Marine Casualties to the U.S. Coast Guard Can Impact Your Organization