- A total of 1,806 reportable marine casualties were recorded in 2024 across 2,084 inspected vessels.
- Material failure remained the leading cause of incidents for most vessel categories, while collisions were most frequent among barges and towing vessels.
- The Coast Guard reported 40 Flag State Detentions in 2024, up from 38 in 2023.
- The report underscores the importance of a robust safety culture to strengthen the U.S. maritime transportation system.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published its 2024 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report, outlining inspection results, fleet deficiencies, and marine casualty data while also identifying key operational trends across the U.S. Flag fleet. The findings cover a wide range of vessel types, including cargo ships, barges, passenger vessels, offshore units, research and training ships, fishing vessels, and towing vessels, according to Safety4Sea.
Marine Casualties and Flag State Detentions
In 2024, a total of 1,806 reportable marine casualties were recorded, involving 2,084 inspected vessels across the U.S. Flag fleet. The data highlights notable trends across vessel categories. Barge vessels reported 54% of incidents linked to collisions, allisions, or groundings, followed by 25% attributed to material failures and 6% resulting from vessel maneuvers. Cargo vessels showed 65% of incidents caused by material failure, while personnel casualties accounted for 11% and propulsion or steering loss for 10%.
Passenger vessels reflected a similar pattern, with 47% of incidents tied to material failures, 18% to collisions, and 12% involving personnel casualties. Offshore Continental Shelf (OCS) vessels reported 63% of incidents due to material failures, 15% from propulsion or steering issues, and 13% from collisions or groundings. Research and School Ships (R&SS) followed closely, recording 64% of incidents caused by material failures, 18% from propulsion or steering loss, and 9% from personnel casualties. Towing vessels, meanwhile, experienced 44% of incidents from collisions, 28% from material failures, and 10% due to propulsion or steering issues.
In terms of regulatory action, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 40 Flag State Detentions in 2024, a slight increase from 38 in the previous year. Under Action Code “30 – Ship Detained,” vessels may be detained when technical or operational deficiencies indicate a serious failure in the Safety Management System (SMS). For vessels without an SMS, detention is imposed when substandard conditions are not being adequately addressed by the company, owner, or operator.
Emphasizing the need for strong compliance and proactive management, the Coast Guard highlighted the continued role of inspections in promoting safety culture and strengthening the nation’s maritime transportation system (MTS). Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, reiterated this focus in the 2024 report.
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Source: Safety4Sea
