In 2019, an investigation of a marine casualty aboard a towing vessel led to the publication of Marine Safety Alert 13-19 titled An Important Safety Consideration - Hazards of Retractable Pilot Houses
In 2019, an investigation of a marine casualty aboard a towing vessel led to the publication of Marine Safety Alert 13-19 titled An Important Safety Consideration - Hazards of Retractable Pilot Houses on Towboats. Since its release, further clarification has been necessary regarding safety regulations to prevent similar future incidents, specifically as it applies to Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter M - Towing Vessels.
The original Safety Alert stated: "Retractable pilothouses are not specifically addressed in 46 CFR Subchapter M, however 46 CFR § 140.505(b) states: 'All vessel equipment is required to be used in accordance with manufacturer's recommended practice and in a manner that minimizes risk of injury or death.' Failure to comply with either of these requirements, manufacturer's recommendations or in a manner to minimize risk of injury, is a failure to comply with the requirement."
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) would like to call attention to an additional requirement that is applicable to safety on towing vessels with retractable pilot houses. Specifically, 46 CFR §
144.820 - Guards in dangerous places, provides that "[a]n exposed hazard such as gears and rotating machinery must be protected by a cover, guard, or rail." This requirement is
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