On December 14, 2010, as a result of the Coast Guard’s positive response to the Safety Board’s recommendations on the use of cell phones and wireless devices while operating a vessel, the NTSB closed safety recommendation M-10-3 and classified Safety Recommendation M-10-2 “Open—Acceptable Response,” pending the publication of the revised BOAT Manual.  

The NTSB issued these two safety recommendations to the Coast Guard on August 11, 2010 as a result of two boating accidents.  On December 5, 2009, CG 25689 collided with the small passenger vessel Thriller 09 in Charleston, South Carolina, and on December 20, 2009, collision of the CG-33118 with a 24-foot recreational vessel in San Diego, California, that resulted in one fatality. 

The U.S. Coast Guard concurred with both recommendations and in October, issued a policy regarding the use of electronic devices while operation a vessel.

“The Coast Guard’s prompt actions on these recommendations will help improve safety on our waterways,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

The Coast Guard issued Safety Advisory 01-10, which discusses the issue of distracted operations, including the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices, and recommends that vessel owners and operators develop and implement effective operational policies outlining when the use of cellular telephones and other devices is appropriate or prohibited.   The Coast Guard said that it intends to work with the National Boating Safety Advisory Council in developing guidance for recreation boat operators on the use of cell phones and other wireless devices.

On December 14, 2010, as a result of the Coast Guard’s positive response to the Safety Board’s recommendations on the use of cell phones and wireless devices while operating a vessel, the NTSB closed safety recommendation M-10-3 and classified Safety Recommendation M-10-2 “Open—Acceptable Response,” pending the publication of the revised BOAT Manual.  

The NTSB issued these two safety recommendations to the Coast Guard on August 11, 2010 as a result of two boating accidents.  On December 5, 2009, CG 25689 collided with the small passenger vessel Thriller 09 in Charleston, South Carolina, and on December 20, 2009, collision of the CG-33118 with a 24-foot recreational vessel in San Diego, California, that resulted in one fatality. 

The U.S. Coast Guard concurred with both recommendations and in October, issued a policy regarding the use of electronic devices while operation a vessel.

“The Coast Guard’s prompt actions on these recommendations will help improve safety on our waterways,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

The Coast Guard issued Safety Advisory 01-10, which discusses the issue of distracted operations, including the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices, and recommends that vessel owners and operators develop and implement effective operational policies outlining when the use of cellular telephones and other devices is appropriate or prohibited.   The Coast Guard said that it intends to work with the National Boating Safety Advisory Council in developing guidance for recreation boat operators on the use of cell phones and other wireless devices.

In November, the Coast Guard informed the NTSB of its plan to revise Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual Volume I, (COMDTINST M16114.32) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 to include the following language: “Cell phones/texting devices and phone applications aboard Boat Forces assets are not authorized without the permission of the coxswain; at no time will the operator of the boat use a cell phone or texting device.” The revised manual will also include examples to aid the coxswain in determining when cell phone use should be considered, as well as instructional enhancements for boat crew (lookout) operational decision-making.