Small Passenger Boat Safety Improvements Could Prevent Deaths, Injuries: NTSB

Federal officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are calling for the U.S. Coast Guard to require small passenger boat safety improvements, on the fifth anniversary of the Conception dive boat fire, which resulted in dozens of preventable deaths.

This past Monday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, hosted a media session with the families of victims in the accident, highlighting the overdue need for all U.S.-flagged passenger vessels to be required to contain safety management systems (SMS), which were first recommended nearly 20 years ago.

A safety management system for small vessels involves a structured approach to ensuring safe operations, environmental protection and accident prevention. It includes risk assessment, clear safety procedures, crew training, emergency preparedness, regular maintenance, documentation and effective communication.

By following an SMS, small vessels can enhance safety for passengers and crew, minimize risks, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Although the U.S. Congress specifically authorized the Coast Guard to require the systems in 2010, the NTSB indicates that small boats are still not required to follow the life-saving measures.

The media session marked the five year anniversary of the Conception dive boat fire, which killed all 33 passengers and one crew member. The small passenger dive boat caught fire, burned to the waterline and sank, while it was anchored about 20 miles south-southwest off the coast of Santa Barbara, California.

Homendy pleaded with the Coast Guard during the media session, stating that the NTSB started calling for SMS 20 years ago, and has even called for it specifically on small passenger vessels since 2012.

“For five years, I’ve worked with the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy to spur federal action on our recommendations,” Homendy said. “We know our recommendations save lives. I call on the Coast Guard to finish its work implementing solutions to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.”

The recommendation for SMS on all passenger vessels was first made after a 2010 investigation by the NTSB into a Staten Island Ferry accident in New York City, which resulted in injuries to dozens of passengers. This recommendation was reinforced following the 2018 NTSB investigation of the Island Lady incident and again after the Conception disaster in 2019.

Along with her public comments, Homendy sent a letter to the Coast Guard commandant and the Secretary of Homeland Security, strongly urging them to implement SMS requirements without any further delay.