In a latest effort to fight sexual misconduct within the maritime business, the U.S. Coast Guard has applied new reporting necessities for incidents of harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault.
The accountable entity of a vessel is now required by legislation to report any such criticism or incident to the Coast Guard. To information people and organizations in reporting situations of sexual misconduct, the Coast Guard has printed MSIB 1-23, which offers complete steerage on the reporting course of. The Coast Guard Officers in Cost, Marine Inspections (OCMI) have additionally launched an training and outreach marketing campaign to boost consciousness amongst maritime business personnel in regards to the reporting necessities and most well-liked reporting mechanisms.
The Coast Guard emphasizes the significance of understanding and addressing the wants of survivors and selling a tradition that opposes sexual assault and harassment. The reporting course of encourages accountable entities to make reviews promptly and offers varied channels for reporting, together with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Suggestions app, electronic mail ([email protected]), or cellphone (202-372-2100).
Moreover, the Coast Guard helps nameless reporting by the CGIS Suggestions app or the Nationwide Command Heart (NCC). Survivors are additionally inspired to hunt confidential assist by the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline.
When a report is obtained, the Coast Guard conducts thorough and neutral investigations, collaborating with the Division of Justice for legal issues. For non-criminal instances, Coast Guard investigators and specialised entities examine all elements of the allegation and take applicable administrative enforcement motion.
The Coast Guard’s authority extends to U.S.-flagged industrial vessels worldwide, the place legal investigations could be performed for sexual assaults. Suspension and Revocation investigations are additionally carried out for allegations of harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault in violation of employer coverage or legislation, involving people holding a Coast Guard issued Service provider Mariner Credential (MMC).
Within the case of foreign-flagged vessels, the Coast Guard has jurisdiction to research alleged incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment occurring in waters topic to U.S. jurisdiction. The Coast Guard actively encourages reporting even when there’s uncertainty about whether or not an incident constitutes sexual harassment or sexual assault.
To make sure compliance, accountable entities ought to discuss with their firm insurance policies, procedures, security administration programs, or related paperwork that outline and deal with incidents of harassment. The Coast Guard urges all corporations to implement insurance policies towards sexual misconduct and harassment.
The Coast Guard is dedicated to sustaining the security and suitability of mariners and should deny an MMC for people with sexual misconduct convictions. The Transportation Safety Administration’s revocation of a mariner’s Transportation Employee Identification Credential (TWIC) for disqualifying warrants, indictments, or convictions additionally renders the mariner ineligible to carry an MMC.
To guard the privateness and integrity of investigations, the Coast Guard workouts discretion in speaking with accountable entities throughout ongoing investigations. Nevertheless, in instances the place legal referrals should not made and the sufferer requests anonymity, the Coast Guard could inform the concerned firm of an administrative Suspension and Revocation investigation.
The Coast Guard stays devoted to stopping sexual misconduct within the maritime business and encourages a tradition that prioritizes security, accountability, and the well-being of all people concerned.
