33 CFR § 173.53 - Immediate notification of death or disappearance.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s173.53"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 173.53 - Immediate notification of death or disappearance."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "173.53"
section_name: "Immediate notification of death or disappearance."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "173"
part_name: "VESSEL NUMBERING AND CASUALTY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 2110, 6101, 12301, 12302; OMB Circular A-25; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 72-54R, 37 FR 21399, Oct. 7, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "173"
---
# 173.53 Immediate notification of death or disappearance.
(a) When, as a result of an occurrence that involves a vessel or its equipment, a person dies or disappears from a vessel, the operator shall, without delay, by the quickest means available, notify the nearest reporting authority listed in appendix A of this part of:
(1) The date, time, and exact location of the occurrence;
(2) The name of each person who died or disappeared;
(3) The number and name of the vessel; and
(4) The names and addresses of the owner and operator.
(b) When the operator of a vessel cannot give the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section, each person on board the vessel shall notify the casualty reporting authority or determine that the notice has been given.