NTSB Issues Mobile Device Recommendations to Coast Guard

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) this week issued the following two recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the use of cell phones and similar wireless communication devices aboard vessels.

NTSB Recommendations:

1. Develop and implement national and local policies that address the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
2. Issue a safety advisory to the maritime industry that (1) promotes awareness of the risk posed by the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices while operating vessels and (2) encourage the voluntary development of operational policies to address the risk.

The NTSB says these recommendations come as it "is investigating two marine accidents where crewmembers on Coast Guard patrol boats involved in collisions had been using cellular telephones while underway to engage in text-messaging activities or conversations that were unrelated to vessel operations or the mission at hand."

The Coast Guard released this statement in response to the NTSB's suggestions.

Source: Planet Data

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