The Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) is as soon as once more calling for security administration techniques (SMS) to be required for all U.S.-flagged passenger vessels.
On the fifth anniversary of the 2019 Conception dive boat hearth that killed 34 folks, Jennifer Homendy, chair of the federal security watchdog, held a media availability with the households of the victims and once more known as on the U.S. Coast Guard to mandate SMS on passenger vessels.
“For 5 years, I’ve labored with the households of the victims of this horrible tragedy to spur federal motion on our suggestions,” Homendy mentioned. “The NTSB first really useful SMS within the marine mode 20 years in the past, and particularly known as for it on small passenger vessels since 2012. Moreover, Congress approved the Coast Guard to mandate SMS in 2010. It’s 2024, and right here we’re, with no motion. We all know our suggestions save lives. I name on the Coast Guard to complete its work implementing options to forestall such a tragedy from occurring once more.”
Homendy made her remarks after a gathering of relations and first responders on the Conception Memorial in Santa Barbara, Calif. on the five-year anniversary of the deadly incident. On September 2, 2019, the Conception dive boat, a small passenger vessel with 33 passengers and a crew of six was anchored for the evening about 24 miles south-southwest of Santa Barbara. Within the early morning hours, it caught hearth, burned to the waterline and sank. All 33 passengers and one crewmember died within the hearth.
The NTSB has lengthy advocated for the implementation of SMS. In 2005, the NTSB issued a security suggestion to the Coast Guard to hunt legislative authority to require all US-flag ferry operators to implement security administration techniques, and as soon as obtained, require all U.S.-flag ferry operators to take action. Congress granted that authority in 2010.
The SMS suggestion for all passenger vessels was first issued after the NTSB investigation of a 2010 Staten Island Ferry accident in New York Metropolis that injured dozens. That very same security suggestion was reiterated following the NTSB’s investigation of the Island Woman in 2018 and on the conclusion of the Conception investigation in 2020.
Along with her feedback, Homendy despatched a letter to the Coast Guard commandant and the Secretary of Homeland Safety urging them to implement the SMS necessities with out additional delay.
