NTSB calls for national USV standards after Lake Erie collision involving NOAA research craft

The US National Transportation Safety Board issued six safety recommendations following a Lake Erie collision between a recreational motor yacht and a NOAA-operated SeaTrac SP-48 uncrewed research vessel. The August 10, 2024, accident caused a minor injury and approximately $286,000 in combined losses, with investigators identifying inadequate visibility and insufficient active monitoring as causes. The USV had low freeboard, no radar reflector and inactive cameras, leaving operators unaware of the impact until contacted by the coast guard. The board urged national standards for detectability, collision avoidance and navigational safety, alongside NOAA monitoring requirements and design improvements by SeaTrac.