# NTSB Issues Maritime Safety Recommendations

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the 2025 Safer Seas Digest summarizing findings from 49 marine investigations completed in 2025. The report identifies critical safety issues such as vessel power failures, bridge strikes, lithium-ion battery fires, and emphasizes the importance of voyage planning, maintenance, and emergency preparedness. The NTSB issued multiple safety recommendations directed at federal agencies, vessel operators, and industry stakeholders to enhance maritime safety and infrastructure resilience.

- **Why this matters:** Federal agencies and maritime contractors should evaluate and integrate NTSB safety recommendations into procurement and operational planning to mitigate risks and improve vessel and port safety.
- The focus on lithium-ion battery fire risks and power system reliability indicates growing demand for safer vessel components and advanced safety technologies.
- Organizations involved in vessel construction, maintenance, and port operations may find opportunities to support compliance with enhanced safety standards and infrastructure upgrades.
- Voluntary implementation of these lessons can reduce incident rates and improve regulatory compliance, benefiting contractors and government stakeholders alike.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG)
- Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)

### Vendors
- Synergy (Vessel manager)
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Vessel builder)
- WAGO (Terminal block manufacturer)
- OceanGate Inc. (Submersible operator)
- Ports America (Cargo terminal operator)

### Key Quotes
> Stakeholders at all levels can voluntarily implement the lessons learned from our investigations to ensure safety.
> — Jennifer L. Homendy, NTSB Chairwoman

### Sources
- [Safer Seas Digest 2025](https://www.ntsb.gov/about/organization/MS/Documents/SPC2601.pdf) - NTSB