Safety Alert

Date 11 September 2026

Importance of Adequate Navigation Bridge Visibility and Visual Lookouts 

 

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a Marine Safety Alert regarding navigation bridge visibility and visual lookouts.

Several recent vessel collisions and near-misses were caused by cargo loading arrangements that obstructed visibility from the navigation bridge. When these visibility issues were not mitigated, either by repositioning cargo or assigning trained lookouts, the consequences included serious accidents, loss of life, and property damage. Maritime operators, owners, and crews must recognize obstructed bridge visibility as a major safety risk and address it before departing to ensure safe navigation.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s recommended actions for vessel owners, operators, and Coast Guard marine inspectors to mitigate the risks associated with obstructed navigation bridge visibility are outlined in Marine Safety Alert 06-26.