USCG has released the 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report. This report highlights U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspection, and marine casualty statistics.
The report presents information reflecting the U.S. Flag fleet including: barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf, research and school ships, fishing vessels, and towing vessels. A few key findings in the report are below:
- In 2023, the U.S. Flag fleet contained 17,577 vessels subject to inspection, with Coast Guard Marine Inspectors (MI) conducting 20,647 inspections. The number of inspections has continued to increase since 2020.
- There were 1,821 reportable marine casualties reported in 2023 involving 2,146 inspected vessels. The number of reportable marine casualties was a slight decrease from 2022.
- In 2023, there were 38 Flag State detentions, a decrease of one from 2022.
In the past year we have promulgated policy facilitating the use of alternate design standards; acknowledging that our regulations do not account for all acceptable design and construction methods as industry continues to modernize and adapt to a changing marine environment.
… said Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, United States Coast Guard
Marine casualties
There were 1,821 reportable marine casualties reported in 2023 involving 2,146 inspected vessels.
Top three casualty types
| Barge | Cargo | Passenger | OCS | R&SS | Towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collision, Allision or Grounding 53% | Material Failure/ Malfunction 65% | Material Failure/ Malfunction 48% | Material Failure/ Malfunction 63% | Material Failure/ Malfunction 63% | Collision, Allision or Grounding 39% |
| Material Failure/ Malfunction 24% | Personal Casualty (Injury or Death) 8% | Loss/Reduction of Vessel Propulsion/Steering 15% | Collision, Allision or Grounding 9% | Personnel Casualty (Injury or Death) 13% | Material Failure/ Malfunction 30% |
| Personnel Casualty (Injury or Death) 7% | Loss/Reduction of Vessel Propulsion/Steering 9% | Collision, Allision or Grounding 14% | Loss/Reduction of Vessel Propulsion/Steering 9% | Collision, Allision or Grounding 13% | Loss/Reduction of Vessel Propulsion/Steering 15% |
Flag State detentions
In 2023, there were 38 Flag State Detentions. Action code “30 – Ship Detained” may be imposed on any inspected vessel type, including Small Passenger Vessels and Barges, when technical or operational deficiencies indicate a serious failure or lack of effectiveness in implementing the Safety Management System (SMS).
For vessels without an SMS, “30 – Ship Detained” is assigned when objective evidence shows that a serious substandard condition is not being proactively managed by the company, vessel owner, or operator.
Meanwhile, the top five detention deficiencies are as follows: 1) Fire Safety, 2) Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery, 3) Safety Management Systems, 4) Certificates and Documentation, and 5) Working and Living Conditions.
