NTSB Safer Seas Digest 2025: Key lessons learned from investigations

October 4 ------ The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its Safer Seas Digest 2025, highlighting lessons learned from 49 marine investigations completed by the NTSB Office of Marine Safety (OMS) in 2025.

The publication examines the causes of marine casualties and outlines safety lessons aimed at preventing future accidents and saving lives. Among the key incidents discussed are the 2024 contact between the containership Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible and the 2023 fire aboard the ro-ro container vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark, New Jersey.

According to the NTSB, the investigations highlighted the importance of proactive risk assessments, effective emergency preparedness, adequate training and the implementation of safety measures to protect vessels, marine infrastructure and personnel. "For every investigation we lead, our mission is to determine exactly how it happened, why it happened, and, most importantly, issue evidence-based recommendations to prevent it from ever happening again. It is in pursuit of this mission that the NTSB issued safety recommendations to all parts of the marine industry in 2025," said Jennifer L. Homendy, NTSB Chairwoman

#1 Planning and training for emergencies

Establishing effective emergency procedures, regularly reassessing and updating them, and routinely training crews and other personnel can reduce the impact of marine casualties. The NTSB’s investigation into the Grande Costa D’Avorio fire highlighted the consequences of inadequate emergency preparedness and a lack of training among land-based emergency responders. Vessel operators and emergency services should establish clear response procedures and ensure that personnel are adequately trained to manage vessel-related emergencies.

#2 Assessing and mitigating infrastructure risks

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge following its contact with the Dali demonstrated the importance of assessing the vulnerability of marine infrastructure to vessel strikes. Infrastructure owners should conduct vulnerability assessments and implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of catastrophic structural failure. The NTSB recommended measures to address risks affecting bridges over navigable waterways used by ocean-going vessels.

#3 Ensuring vessel structural integrity

The Titan submersible investigation highlighted the need for robust engineering processes and adequate testing to verify the strength and durability of vessels. Owners and operators should ensure that vessel designs, construction methods and engineering practices comply with applicable safety requirements. Adequate testing and ongoing assessment of structural integrity are essential to identify and address potential failures.

#4 Ensuring effective emergency response arrangements

Emergency response plans should include appropriate resources and facilities that can be deployed when an accident occurs. The NTSB found that the company operating the Titan had not followed applicable guidance recommending the availability of suitable rescue facilities. Although a rescue would not have been possible in the incident, the availability of emergency response assets could have reduced the time and resources required to locate the submersible.

#5 Performing maintenance effectively

Effective maintenance is essential to ensure that vessel systems and equipment remain operational and perform as intended. Owners and operators should establish appropriate maintenance procedures, follow manufacturer guidance and address identified deficiencies in a timely manner. Regular inspections and effective maintenance practices can help prevent equipment failures and reduce the risk of marine casualties.

#6 Improving voyage planning and management

Effective voyage planning and management are essential to safe vessel operations. Mariners should identify navigational hazards, assess operating conditions and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures before and during a voyage. Adequate planning and effective management can help reduce the likelihood of collisions, contacts, groundings and other marine casualties.

#7 Detecting and containing vessel fires

Early fire detection and effective containment measures are critical to reducing the consequences of vessel fires. Crews should ensure that fire detection and firefighting systems are properly maintained and operational. Effective emergency procedures, appropriate training and coordinated responses can help prevent fires from spreading and protect seafarers and emergency responders.

#8 Ensuring watertight integrity

Maintaining the integrity of hulls, watertight bulkheads and other watertight boundaries is essential to preventing flooding and protecting vessel stability. Owners and operators should conduct regular inspections, address structural deficiencies and ensure that watertight systems remain effective throughout the vessel’s service life.

#9 Accounting for bank effect and hydrodynamic forces

Bank effect and other hydrodynamic forces can affect vessel maneuverability, particularly in narrow channels and confined waterways. Masters, pilots and other mariners should account for these forces when planning and conducting vessel movements. Understanding the effects of shallow water, channel restrictions and interactions with other vessels can help reduce the risk of contact and loss of control.

#10 Combating fatigue and distraction

Fatigue and distraction can impair situational awareness, decision-making and reaction times. Vessel operators should implement appropriate work and rest arrangements, minimize distractions and promote practices that support alertness and safe navigation. Maintaining crew vigilance is particularly important during complex operations and challenging navigational conditions.

#11 Securing and monitoring lithium-ion batteries

The proper securing and monitoring of lithium-ion batteries is essential to mitigating the risks associated with battery-related incidents on board vessels. Owners and operators should ensure that batteries are appropriately handled, stored and monitored, while crews should be familiar with the relevant safety procedures and emergency response measures.

#12 Mitigating the risks of electrical power loss

Loss of electrical power can compromise critical vessel systems and affect safe navigation and operations. Vessel operators should ensure that electrical systems are properly maintained, critical equipment is supported by appropriate backup arrangements and crews are trained to respond effectively to power failures.

#13 Operating equipment and machinery as designed

Vessel equipment and machinery should be operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions, applicable regulations and established safety procedures. Ensuring that systems are used as designed and that crews are adequately trained can help prevent malfunctions, operational errors and related marine casualties.

The NTSB emphasized that although each marine casualty is unique, the recurring safety issues identified through its investigations provide lessons that can be applied across the maritime industry. The agency encouraged stakeholders at all levels to voluntarily implement these lessons and use its evidence-based safety recommendations to help prevent future accidents.

Source: safety4sea.com