United States Government
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is a component of the Department of Homeland Security and is tasked with protecting ports and waterways, safety of life at sea and emergency response, maintaining the flow of maritime commerce, enforcing federal law, conducting military operations when needed and controlling the maritime border. The are various gateways into the significant information and material on the site.
National Vessel Documentation Center - Provides information and services for United States documented vessels.
National Maritime Center - Provides information and services for United States Merchant Mariners.
National Pollution Funds Center - Established after the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990, the center provides information and services concerning Certificates of Financial Responsibilty (COFRs), oil spill response, oil spill claims and natural resource damages.
National Response Center (NRC) - The NRC is not a response agency, but serves as an emergency call center that fields initial reports for pollution and railroad incidents and forwards that information to appropriate federal/state agencies for response.
Navigation Center - Provides information and documents on the Inland & International Navigation Rules, Notices to Mariners, Global Positioning System (GPS), maritime telecommunications, maritime safety, Automatic Identification System (AIS), the International Ice Patrol and Space Operations Launch and Recovery (SOLAR).
Boating Safety - The web site of the Boating Safety Division (CG-BSX-2) with the mission of reducing loss of life, injuries and property damage on U.S. Waterways by improving the knowledge, skill and abilities of recreational boaters.
Marine Safety Manual - A comprehensive set of policy and procedural guides for the Coast Guard's marine safety programs, covering everything from vessel inspections and investigations to port security and environmental protection
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) - Provide detailed guidance about compliance with a certain marine safety regulations and Coast Guard marine safety programs.
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
FMC was established in 1961 and is responsible for the regulation of shipping in the foreign trade of the United States. The Commission investigates discriminatory rates and practices of ocean carriers; receives and monitors agreements among carriers; maintains electronic tariff filings; regulates tariffs of carriers controlled by foreign governments; licenses U.S. based freight forwarders; requires bonds of non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs); and issues passenger vessel certificates of financial responsibility. The Commission also adjudicates disputes between parties or between parties and the Commission for violations of the Shipping Act. The Proceedings section provides links to case dockets, FMC Law Reports, relevant statutes, regulations, attorney resources and forms.
Maritime Administration (MARAD)
A component of the Department of Transportation, MARAD's mission is to promote the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine. The Office of Policy and Plans publishes statistical and economic analyses and reports on a variety of maritime transportation topics.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A component of the Department of Commerce, NOAA conducts ocean surveys and produces nautical charts, among other functions. The site has significant information on maritime matters (including ports, charts, tides, sea levels, coastal hazards, fisheries, weather & climate) searchable through its Tools and Resources page.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The Board, which investigates significant marine accidents, maintains a search tool (CAROL) for finding information about NTSB investigations and recommendations. For marine events, it allows searching over a defined time period for all marine accidents or by vessel name or type.
Department of Justice
Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section
Department of Labor
The Department's Longshore Program with respect to the Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
Department of State
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, including the Office of Marine Conservation and the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
The Corps is responsible for maintaining navigation channels. Their Digital Library maintains reports, notices, regulatory information, manuals, etc.
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