[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR4.03-1]

[Page 41-42]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 4_MARINE CASUALTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart 4.03_Definitions
 
Sec. 4.03-1  Marine casualty or accident.


    Marine casualty or accident means--
    (a) Any casualty or accident involving any vessel other than a 
public vessel that--
    (1) Occurs upon the navigable waters of the United States, its 
territories or possessions;
    (2) Involves any United States vessel wherever such casualty or 
accident occurs; or
    (3) With respect to a foreign tank vessel operating in waters 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the 
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), involves significant harm to the 
environment or material damage affecting the seaworthiness or efficiency 
of the vessel.
    (b) The term ``marine casualty or accident'' applies to events 
caused by or

[[Page 42]]

involving a vessel and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) Any fall overboard, injury, or loss of life of any person.
    (2) Any occurrence involving a vessel that results in--
    (i) Grounding;
    (ii) Stranding;
    (iii) Foundering;
    (iv) Flooding;
    (v) Collision;
    (vi) Allision;
    (vii) Explosion;
    (viii) Fire;
    (ix) Reduction or loss of a vessel's electrical power, propulsion, 
or steering capabilities;
    (x) Failures or occurrences, regardless of cause, which impair any 
aspect of a vessel's operation, components, or cargo;
    (xi) Any other circumstance that might affect or impair a vessel's 
seaworthiness, efficiency, or fitness for service or route; or
    (xii) Any incident involving significant harm to the environment.
    (3) Any occurrences of injury or loss of life to any person while 
diving from a vessel and using underwater breathing apparatus.
    (4) Any incident described in Sec. 4.05-1(a).

[USCG-2000-6927, 70 FR 74675, Dec. 16, 2005]