The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has urged the U.S. Coast Guard to establish national safety standards for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) following an investigation into the collision of a NOAA SeaTrac SP-48 uncrewed research vessel with a recreational boat on Lake Erie. This incident, which occurred on August 10, 2024, has raised serious concerns regarding maritime safety protocols for increasingly prevalent autonomous vessels.
The Incident
The collision occurred approximately six miles east-southeast of Monroe, Michigan, when the NOAA vessel became entangled in the starboard propeller pod of a privately owned 45-foot Prestige 450 Flybridge boat. Despite one minor injury reported, both vessels suffered considerable damage, with the NOAA vessel declared a constructive total loss valued at approximately $186,000, while the recreational vessel incurred damages estimated at $100,000.
The investigation revealed that the NOAA uncrewed vessel’s low-profile design—only one foot of its hull visible above the water—rendered it difficult to detect, complicating the situational awareness for nearby mariners. Standard radar systems and automatic identification systems (AIS) typically used on recreational boats were largely ineffective in spotting the vessel. Moreover, the NOAA vessel lacked an audible warning system to alert other vessels of its presence.
Regulatory Gaps and Recommendations
At the time of the incident, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory operated the vessel in an automated mode known as “adapted hold,” allowing it to return to preset waypoints. However, the NTSB determined that the remote monitoring from shore was passive and failed to provide adequate oversight for the operating conditions. This led to critical deficiencies, as the vessel lacked the ability to autonomously assess surrounding traffic and take necessary collision-avoidance actions.
The NTSB’s report highlighted that, particularly given poor visibility and inadequate monitoring, the uncrewed vessel did not have a proper lookout, emphasizing how the lack of independent decision-making undermined navigation safety. As USVs continue to increase in number in U.S. inland and territorial waters, the NTSB stressed that there were no existing industry-wide standards addressing visibility, collision-avoidance capabilities, or navigational safety specific to these vessels.
In light of these findings, the NTSB has issued six safety recommendations, urging the Coast Guard to establish a national framework that incorporates safety standards for USVs into federal regulations, addressing the pressing need for enhanced oversight as the maritime landscape evolves.
The Operational Read
The implications of the NTSB’s recommendations could significantly impact how uncrewed vessels are integrated into existing maritime operations. Operators and stakeholders must prepare for increased scrutiny and likely regulatory changes that will dictate visibility, monitoring, and collision-avoidance requirements. As the prevalence of autonomous vessels rises, key focus areas will include developing technology that enhances the perceptibility of USVs and ensures their ability to navigate safely alongside traditional manned vessels. Operators must also remain vigilant about the evolving landscape of regulations that could shape operational protocols and liability in the event of incidents, making it essential to monitor regulatory developments closely.
