33 C.F.R. Subpart C—Casualty and Accident Reporting
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters
(a) This subpart applies to each vessel used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and on the high seas beyond the territorial seas for vessels owned in the United States that: (1) Is used by its operator for recreational purposes; or (2) Is required to be numbered under this part. (b) This subpart does not apply to a vessel subject to inspection under Title 46 U.S.C. Chapter 33. [CDG 72–54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by CDG 84–099, 52 FR 47533, Dec. 14, 1987] (a) When, as a result of an occurrence that involves a vessel or its equipment, a person dies or disappears from a vessel, the operator shall, without delay, by the quickest means available, notify the nearest reporting authority listed in Appendix A of this part of: (1) The date, time, and exact location of the occurrence; (2) The name of each person who died or disappeared; (3) The number and name of the vessel; and (4) The names and addresses of the owner and operator. (b) When the operator of a vessel cannot give the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section, each person on board the vessel shall notify the casualty reporting authority or determine that the notice has been given. (a) The operator of a vessel shall submit the casualty or accident report prescribed in §173.57 to the reporting authority prescribed in §173.59 when, as a result of an occurrence that involves the vessel or its equipment: (1) A person dies; (2) A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid; (3) Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 or more or there is a complete loss of any vessel; (4) A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury. (b) A report required by this section must be made: (1) Within 48 hours of the occurrence if a person dies within 24 hours of the occurrence; (2) Within 48 hours of the occurrence if a person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid, or disappears from a vessel; and (3) Within 10 days of the occurrence or death if an earlier report is not required by this paragraph. (c) When the operator of a vessel cannot submit the casualty or accident report required by paragraph (a) of this section, the owner shall submit the casualty or accident report. [CGD 72–54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by CGD 76–155, 44 FR 5308, Jan. 25, 1979; CGD 82–015, 54 FR 5610, Feb. 6, 1989; USCG–1999–6094, 66 FR 21675, May 1, 2001; 66 FR 33845, June 26, 2001; USCG–1999–6094, 67 FR 14645, Mar. 27, 2002] Each report required by §173.55 must be in writing, dated upon completion, and signed by the person who prepared it and must contain, if available, at least the following information about the casualty or accident: (a) The numbers and names of each vessel involved. (b) The name and address of each owner of each vessel involved. (c) The name of the nearest city or town, the county, the State, and the body of water. (d) The time and date the casualty or accident occurred. (e) The location on the water. (f) The visibility, weather, and water conditions. (g) The estimated air and water temperatures. (h) The name, address, age, or date of birth, telephone number, vessel operating experience, and boating safety training of the operator making the report. (i) The name and address of each operator of each vessel involved. (j) The number of persons on board or towed on skis by each vessel. (k) The name, address, and date of birth of each person injured or killed. (l) The cause of each death. (m) Weather forecasts available to, and weather reports used by, the operator before and during the use of the vessel. (n) The name and address of each owner of property involved. (o) The availability and use of personal flotation devices. (p) The type and amount of each fire extinguisher used. (q) The nature and extent of each injury. (r) A description of all property damage and vessel damage with an estimate of the cost of all repairs. (s) A description of each equipment failure that caused or contributed to the cause of the casualty. (t) A description of the vessel casualty or accident. (u) The type of vessel operation (cruising, drifting, fishing, hunting, skiing, racing, or other), and the type of accident (capsizing, sinking, fire, or explosion or other). (v) The opinion of the person making the report as to the cause of the casualty, including whether or not alcohol or drugs, or both, was a cause or contributed to causing the casualty. (w) The make, model, type (open, cabin, house, or other), beam width at widest point, length, depth from transom to keel, horsepower, propulsion (outboard, inboard, inboard outdrive, sail, or other), fuel (gas, diesel, or other), construction (wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, or other), and year built (model year), of the reporting operator's vessel. (x) The name, address, and telephone number of each witness. (y) The manufacturer's hull identification number, if any, of the reporting operator's vessel. (z) The name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the report. [CGD 72–54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, as amended by CGD 84–099, 52 FR 47533, Dec. 14, 1987; USCG–2003–15404, 68 FR 37742, June 25, 2003] A report required by §173.55 must be submitted to: (a) The reporting authority listed in Appendix A of this part where the vessel number was issued, or, if the vessel has no number, where the vessel is principally used; or (b) The reporting authority where the casualty or accident occurred, if it occurred outside the State where the vessel is numbered or principally used.
Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 173—VESSEL NUMBERING AND CASUALTY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING
Subpart C—Casualty and Accident Reporting
§ 173.51 Applicability.
§ 173.53 Immediate notification of death or disappearance.
§ 173.55 Report of casualty or accident.
§ 173.57 Contents of report.
§ 173.59 Where to submit report.
