• Part 176.45 outlines the procedures that must be followed if there is an accident that involves hazardous materials on board a vessel.

The regulation at 176.45 outlines procedures that must be followed in case of an accident involving hazardous materials on board a vessel, which include:

• The master must adopt procedures to provide maximum safety for the vessel, its passengers, and its crew.
• Damaged packages or unauthorized packages from the accident may not be offered to any forwarding carrier for transportation.
• The master must notify the nearest Captain of the Port and request instructions for disposition of the packages.

When a fire or other hazardous condition exists on a vessel transporting hazardous materials, the master MUST notify the nearest Captain of the Port as soon as possible and must comply with any instructions given by the Captain of the Port.

If a package, portable tank, freight container, highway or railroad vehicle containing hazardous materials is jettisoned or lost, the master must notify the nearest Captain of the Port as soon as possible of the location, quantity, and type of the material.