The National Transportation Safety Board was established in 1967 to conduct independent investigations of all civil aviation accidents in the United States and major accidents in other transportation modes, as well as accidents involving U.S. flagged vessels worldwide.

Safety recommendations are the most important part of the Safety Board responsibilities. The Board must address safety deficiencies immediately, and therefore issues recommendations before the completion of investigations.

Recommendations are based on findings of the investigation, and may address deficiencies that do not pertain directly to what is ultimately determined to be the cause of the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board reports a lack of procedural compliance and complacency were key factors in several marine accident investigations that have concluded so far in 2021.

Additionally, as per NTSB report ‘Safer Seas 2019’ many incident causes are related to the following factors:

-Fatigue                                                                             

-Insufficient organizational oversight

-A failure to maintain a proper lookout

-Inadequate fire protection during hot work

-Inaccurate labeling of an alarm

-A failure to conduct a comprehensive master/pilot exchange

-A failure to use all means of navigation to determine a vessel’s position

-A failure to identify risk before commencing operations

-A lack of early VHF radio communications during a close quarters situation

-Ineffective planning for forecasted heavy weather conditions

-Insufficiently accounting for known seafloor hazards

-Ineffective hull and structural component inspection and maintenance

-A lack of watertight integrity and compromised or inadequate subdivision

-Inability or failure to secure ventilation and/or close all

-A lack of remote fuel oil and lube oil cut-off valves

Source: www.ntsb.gov

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