US Code

Public Law 119-87 (04/30/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 6101

Marine casualties and reporting

(a)
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations on the marine casualties to be reported and the manner of reporting. The regulations shall require reporting the following marine casualties:
(1)
death of an individual.
(2)
serious injury to an individual.
(3)
material loss of property.
(4)
material damage affecting the seaworthiness or efficiency of the vessel.
(5)
significant harm to the environment.
(b)
A marine casualty shall be reported within 5 days as provided in this part and regulations prescribed under this part. Each report filed under this section shall include information as to whether the use of alcohol contributed to the casualty.
(c)

Notice to State and Tribal Governments .—

Not later than 24 hours after receiving a notice of a major marine casualty under this section, the Secretary shall notify each State or federally recognized Indian tribe that is, or may reasonably be expected to be, affected by such marine casualty.
(d)
(1)
This part applies to a foreign vessel when involved in a marine casualty on the navigable waters of the United States.
(2)
This part applies, to the extent consistent with generally recognized principles of international law, to a foreign vessel constructed or adapted to carry, or that carries, oil in bulk as cargo or cargo residue involved in a marine casualty described under subsection (a)(4) or (5) in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the Exclusive Economic Zone.
(e)
A marine casualty not resulting in the death of an individual shall be classified according to the gravity of the casualty, as prescribed by regulation, giving consideration to the extent of injuries to individuals, the extent of property damage, the dangers that the casualty creates, and the size, occupation, and means of propulsion of each vessel involved.
(f)
(1)
This chapter applies to a marine casualty involving a United States citizen on a foreign passenger vessel operating south of 75 degrees north latitude, west of 35 degrees west longitude, and east of the International Date Line; or operating in the area south of 60 degrees south latitude that—
(A)
embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States; or
(B)
transports passengers traveling under any form of air and sea ticket package marketed in the United States.
(2)
When there is a marine casualty described in paragraph (1) of this subsection and an investigation is conducted, the Secretary shall ensure that the investigation—
(A)
is thorough and timely; and
(B)
produces findings and recommendations to improve safety on passenger vessels.
(3)
When there is a marine casualty described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary may—
(A)
seek a multinational investigation of the casualty under auspices of the International Maritime Organization; or
(B)
conduct an investigation of the casualty under chapter 63 of this title.
(g)
To the extent consistent with generally recognized practices and procedures of international law, this part applies to a foreign vessel involved in a marine casualty or incident, as defined in the International Maritime Organization Code for the Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents, where the United States is a Substantially Interested State and is, or has the consent of, the Lead Investigating State under the Code.
(h)
The Secretary shall publish all major marine casualty reports prepared in accordance with this section in an electronic form, and shall provide information electronically regarding how other marine casualty reports can be obtained.
(i)
For purposes of this section, the term “major marine casualty” means a casualty involving a vessel, other than a public vessel, that results in—
(1)
the loss of 6 or more lives;
(2)
the loss of a mechanically propelled vessel of 100 or more gross tons;
(3)
property damage initially estimated at $2,000,000 or more; or
(4)
serious threat, as determined by the Commandant with concurrence by the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, to life, property, or the environment by hazardous materials.
(j)
The Secretary shall publish all marine casualty reports prepared in accordance with this section in an electronic form.

Pub. L. 98–8997 Stat. 536 Pub. L. 98–498, title II, § 212(b)(1)98 Stat. 2306 Pub. L. 98–557, § 7(b)(1)98 Stat. 2862 Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4106(b)104 Stat. 513 Pub. L. 102–241, § 33105 Stat. 2222 Pub. L. 107–295, title IV116 Stat. 2125 Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 901o120 Stat. 565 Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(21)120 Stat. 1704 Pub. L. 110–181, div. C, title XXXV, § 3529(c)(1)122 Stat. 603 Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 312128 Stat. 3048 Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV132 Stat. 2323 Pub. L. 115–265, title II, § 211132 Stat. 3749 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 423, 442(a), , , 2132; (), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 3541(b)(11), 3546(d), , , 2326; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source section (U.S. Code)

6101

46:239

46:1486

33:361

33:365

6101(b)

33:362

Section 6101(a) requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations on the types and manner of reporting of marine casualties to be reported under subsection (b) and incidents to be reported under subsection (c). The casualties to be reported must include casualties involving death to an individual, serious injury to an individual, material loss of property, and any damage affecting the seaworthiness or efficiency of the vessel, in addition to the other casualties (if any) the Secretary feels should be reported.

Subsection (b) requires the owner, charterer, agent, master, operator, or individual in charge of a vessel to report within 5 days, any casualty required in subsection (a) or by regulation.

Subsection (c) requires the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a U.S. vessel to immediately determine the status of their vessel if they have not heard from the vessel, if it has not passed a scheduled point, or for any other reason which may indicate the vessel may have been lost or imperiled. If the owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent cannot reach the vessel and determine that it is operating safely, then they shall immediately notify the Coast Guard and provide the Coast Guard with the name and number of the vessel, the names of individuals on board, and any other information that the Coast Guard may request. If communication with the vessel indicates the vessel was involved in a casualty, then the owner, charterer, or agent of the vessel must immediately notify the Coast Guard under subsection (b). Notification to the Coast Guard does not impose or create any additional responsibility for the Coast Guard to take search and rescue action beyond those already existing under title 14, United States Code.

Subsection (d) makes it clear that the reporting requirements under subsection (b) are applicable to foreign vessels involved in a marine casualty when operating on the navigable waters of the United States, whether in innocent passage or not.

Subsection (e) provides for the classification of marine casualties by regulation according to the gravity of the casualty, injuries to individuals, property damage, dangers created, and size, occupation, and means of propulsion of each vessel.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–2652018—Subsec. (i)(3). substituted “$2,000,000” for “$500,000”.

Pub. L. 115–232, § 3541(b)(11)Subsec. (i)(4). , struck out “of the Coast Guard” after “Commandant”.

Pub. L. 115–232, § 3546(d)Subsec. (j). , struck out “, as soon as possible, and no later than ,” after “The Secretary shall”.

Pub. L. 113–281, § 312(1)2014—Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 113–281, § 312(2)Subsecs. (h), (i). , in subsec. (h), struck out “(1)” before “The Secretary” and redesignated par. (2) as subsec. (i) and, in subsec. (i), substituted “section” for “paragraph” in introductory provisions and redesignated former subpars. (A) to (D) as pars. (1) to (4), respectively. Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).

Pub. L. 113–281, § 312(3)Subsec. (j). , resesignated subsec. (i) as (j).

Pub. L. 110–181Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(21)2008—Subsecs. (g) to (i). repealed . See 2006 Amendment notes below.

Pub. L. 109–304, § 15(21)Pub. L. 109–241Pub. L. 110–1812006—Subsecs. (g) to (i). , which directed amendment identical to that made by , was repealed by . See Construction of 2006 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 109–241 redesignated the second subsec. (g), relating to electronic publishing of marine casualty reports, and subsec. (h) as subsecs. (h) and (i), respectively.

Pub. L. 107–295, § 423(1)2002—Subsecs. (e), (f). , redesignated subsec. (e), relating to passenger vessel investigations, as subsec. (f).

Pub. L. 107–295, § 442(a)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g) relating to electronic publishing of marine casualty reports.

Pub. L. 107–295, § 423(2), added subsec. (g) relating to applicability of this part to a foreign vessel involved in a marine casualty or incident.

Pub. L. 107–295, § 442(a)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).

Pub. L. 102–2411991—Subsec. (e). added subsec. (e) relating to passenger vessel investigations.

Pub. L. 101–380, § 4106(b)(1)1990—Subsec. (a)(5). , added par. (5).

Pub. L. 101–380, § 4106(b)(2)Subsec. (d). , designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 98–498, § 212(b)(1)(A)1984—Subsec. (a). , struck out “and incidents” after “marine casualties” in provisions preceding par. (1).

Pub. L. 98–557Subsec. (b). inserted provisions relating to alcohol as a contributing factor to the casualty.

Pub. L. 98–498, § 212(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (c). , struck out subsec. (c) which related to determination of status of a vessel that may be lost or imperiled and notification of the Coast Guard.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, § 442(b)116 Stat. 2132

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] applies to all marine casualty reports completed after the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–380section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380section 2701 of Title 33Amendment by applicable to incidents occurring after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Navigation and Navigable Waters.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–498section 214 of Pub. L. 98–498section 2306 of this titleAmendment by effective 180 days after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Construction of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–304section 3529(c)(1) of Pub. L. 110–181section 3529(c)(2) of Pub. L. 110–181section 9504 of Title 26Provisions of repealed by to be treated as if never enacted, see , set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under .