The Coast Guard (USCG) published a final rule on March 19, 2018, raising the monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty and for reporting “serious marine incident” (SMI) which requires mandatory alcohol and drug testing. The final rule, which takes effect on April 18, 2018, increases the reportable marine casualty property damage threshold amount in 46 CFR 4.05-1(a)(7) from $25,000 to $75,000. It also changes the SMI property damage threshold in 46 CFR 4.03-2(a)(3) from $100,000 to $200,000.

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing is still required if the property damage meets the monetary threshold amounts of those marine casualties in excess of $200,000 or if there is a death, injury requiring professional medical treatment, loss of inspected vessel, loss of an uninspected vessel over 100 tons, or significant harm to the environment.

Other incidents such as groundings, bridge strikes, losses resulting in reduced vessel maneuverability, impacts on vessel seaworthiness or fitness for service or route, loss of life, injury requiring professional medical treatment, or significant harm to the environment, must still be reported – regardless of the property damage cost involved.

The CG–2692 forms will be amended to reflect the rule changes. The changes to Form CG–2692 will involve revising its title and moving certain sections to two new addendum forms.

To read the regulation: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/03/19/2018-05467/marine-casualty-reporting-property-damage-thresholds