The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its Safer Seas Digest 2024, summarizing critical findings and safety lessons from 34 major marine casualties investigated in 2023. The annual report is aimed at improving marine safety practices and was published on May 21.
This year’s digest includes incidents ranging from capsizings and collisions to machinery failures, fires, and groundings. Among the notable events were two passenger vessel fires: one aboard the Staten Island ferry Sandy Ground, and another involving the dinner cruise ship Spirit of Boston.
Each case study provides a factual summary, analysis of the probable cause, and recommended safety actions. The NTSB noted the agency's goal with the digest is to give vessel owners, operators, and maritime professionals clear, actionable insights to prevent future accidents.
A recurring theme in this year’s report is the importance of Safety Management Systems (SMSs) for passenger vessels. The NTSB said it has repeatedly identified the lack of formal SMSs as a factor in many investigations. An SMS is a structured framework that ensures safety policies and procedures are properly documented and implemented across all levels of an organization. It’s designed to reduce human error, improve operational oversight, and cultivate a safety-first culture.
Previous editions of the Safer Seas Digest are also accessible on the agency’s website.
