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Marine Boards of Investigation and Other Formal Marine Safety Investigations

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This section of our Commandant (CG-INV) site provides information regarding Commandant Marine Boards of Investigation and other Formal level marine safety investigations conducted by the Coast Guard.  Examples of Formal investigations convened by the Commandant include a Marine Board of Investigation (MBOI) convened under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 4.09 or a Board of Inquiry under Title 46, United States Code, §70035.  District Commanders and OCMIs convene Formal level investigations under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 4.07.
 
Under Coast Guard policy and procedures the Commandant, a District Commander, or an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) will consider convening a Formal investigation for any incident where evidence of one or more of the following is determined to be true:

  • significant failures in the operational or safety management of one or more of the vessels involved
  • significant failures in the structural integrity, operational systems, or safety systems of one or more of the vessels involved
  • significant disruption in the maritime transportation system or maritime commerce
  • significant threat to the port, public safety, or the environment
  • significant loss of life or serious injuries 
  • significant property damage to one or more of the vessels involved, shore side facilities, or other property or goods.

A Formal investigation consists of the same fundamental elements of a standard Coast Guard marine safety investigation, but constitutes a more structured, public investigative process that expands on the investigation efforts normally undertaken for other, less significant incidents.

The following is a list of sites providing Information about individual Marine Boards of Investigations, Boards of Inquiry, and Other Formal Investigations.  If you have any questions regarding investigations that are not included on this list, please contact Commandant (CG-INV) at HQS-SMB-CG-INV@uscg.mil.

Incident Date Investigation Type Status
1/30/2026 Commercial Fishing Vessel LILY JEAN Loss with Loss of Life Investigation District Formal Open-In Progress
3/26/2024 Container Vessel DALI Allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Open-In Progress
3/26/2024 Risks to Critical Port Infrastructure from Larger Commercial Vessels and Increased Traffic Density Board of Inquiry Open-In Progress
7/5/2023 RO-RO Container Vessel GRANDE COSTA D'AVORIO Fire with Loss of Life Investigation District Formal Closed
6/18/2023 TITAN Submersible Loss Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Closed
4/13/2021 Commercial Liftboat SEACOR POWER Capsize, Loss and Loss of Life Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Closed
6/30.2019 Commercial Fishing Vessel SCANDIES ROSE Loss with Loss of Life Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Closed
5/10/2019 Tank Vessel GENESIS RIVER and Towing Vessel VOYAGER Collision Investigation District Formal Closed
1/8/2019 Commercial Fishing Vessel MARY B II Capsize and Loss of Life Investigation District Formal Closed
9/8/2018 RO-RO Vessel GOLDEN RAY Capsize Investigation District Formal Closed
10/20/2017 Tank Barge BOUCHARD NO 255 Explosion, Fire, and Discharge of Oil Investigation District Formal Closed
2/11/2017 Commercial Fishing Vessel DESTINATION Loss with Loss of Life Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Closed
10/1/2015 RO-RO Container Vessel EL FARO Loss with Loss of Life Investigation Marine Board of Investigation Closed