Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
Printable Version

Front Matter

January 25, 2008

The Marine Casualty and Pollution Database contains data related to marine casualty investigations reportable under 46 C.F.R. 4.03 and pollution investigations reportable under 33 C.F.R. 153.203. The data reflect information collected by U.S. Coast Guard personnel concerning vessel and waterfront facility accidents and marine pollution incidents throughout the United States and its territories.

In December 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard transitioned from the Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) to the Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) system. MISLE changed the way the U.S. Coast Guard collects data. New data elements were added to collect information on new and expanded missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of the tables from MSIS were altered for more efficient database design. The current Casualty and Pollution database has little resemblance to the Casualty and Pollution database derived from MSIS files. New records layouts are provided in this instruction.

Nine files have been added to the CD-ROM. These files contain data from mid December 2001 through January 2008. In addition, over 1,300 casualty and pollution investigations not included in the 2001 Casualty and Pollution database are part of the new MISLE pollution and casualty database. These cases were open at the time of the 2001 extract and mostly reflect cases from 2000 and 2001 time period. A new vessel and facility file was developed and is included on the CD-ROM. The data in the vessel and facility files date back to 1982. New vessel and facility identifiers were created and should be used in place of the older vessel and facility key fields (vkey/fkey).

Beginning in 2002, Casualty and Pollution investigations are no longer identified by marine casualty case numbers (MC########). MC Case Numbers have been replaced with activity Ids. Activities may be bundled into cases. These cases represent associates between activities. For instance, a marine pollution incident activity may have a follow up incident management activity. Together, these activities represent a case.

Your CD-ROM has an activity file that contains common data for casualty and pollution activities. The file contains the incident date, the unit that conducted the investigation and any associated case numbers. All activities in the database are closed investigations. Below are the number of open Pollution and Injury/Death Investigations not included on the CD-ROM.

Year Pollution Investigations
CY 2002 212
CY 2003 187
CY 2004 264
CY 2005 481
CY 2006 3,841
CY 2007 3,834
CY 2008 173

Year Injury/Death Cases
CY 2002 11
CY 2003 89
CY 2004 88
CY 2005 173
CY 2006 1,011
CY 2007 859
CY 2008 17

Year Facility Events
CY 2002 28
CY 2003 50
CY 2004 57
CY 2005 170
CY 2006 1,281
CY 2007 1,472
CY 2008 70

Year Vessel Events
CY 2002 194
CY 2003 319
CY 2004 425
CY 2005 1,344
CY 2006 7,785
CY 2007 9,830
CY 2008 519

The material is predecisional and is not releasable to the public. When these activities are closed, they will be included in future releases.

The vessel and facility event tables contain the event timeline in a casualty or pollution incident. Some casualties have multiple events and can involve both vessels and facilities. Use the activity id in these files as the join field to the other tables in the database.

A separate table with details on personnel injury events is included on the CD-ROM. This table contains details on injuries to crewmembers, passengers and other parties.

There are three pollution tables included on the CD-ROM. These tables provide details on marine pollution events involving vessels, facilities and other pollution sources. These pollution tables have similar data structures and provide details on the substance and the amount of the discharge. To find information on a vessel pollution event, see the MisleVslPoll table. Details on facility pollution events are located in the MisleFacPoll table. Information on other pollution sources is contained in the MisleOtherPoll table (i.e., automobiles). For more information on the pollution source, refer to the vessel and facility tables. The join field for these tables is vessel/nonvessel id.

Information on mystery spills and ticket cases is included in the pollution tables. Mystery spills are defined as a waterway condition because the source of the spill is unknown and may appear in any of the three pollution tables. Ticket cases are included in the database. These cases are assigned activity numbers and replace the old MSIS ticket numbers (TK########).

A new vessel and facility table is provided on the CD-ROM that provides details on over 936,800 vessels and 42,200 facilities. Many of these records were created in MSIS and migrated to MISLE. A new vessel/nonvessel id was created to replace the VKEY/FKEY used in MSIS. These tables were constructed to include many of the same data elements in past MSIS vessel and facility tables. When the U.S. Coast Guard performs activities on vessels and facilities, new records are entered or updated in the system to reflect changes in the vessel or facility’s service

Hints on joining files. The activity identifiers are computer-generated numbers identifying an investigation activity. Each activity has subcategories to further define the activity. Each file in the database contains an activity identifier that can be joined across files. By joining these files, more details on the investigation case are supplied.

A facility and vessel file are included on the CD-ROM to provide you with details on vessels and facilities involved in a marine casualty. To join the vessel and facility files to the other database files, join the gk_d_vessel or gk_d_facility fields to the vessel_id and nonvessel_id ids in the other subject files.

Not included on the CD-ROM is the file that lists other sources of pollution. Other sources include aircraft, vehicles, and other facilities not classified in the facility file.

Questions concerning the data should be directed to Mr. Harold Krevait at (202)372-1289.

Entity Attributes

Table Name: MisleActivity

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 char dept_name 40
5 varchar activity_type 25
6 varchar activity_status 25
7 varchar activity_status_subtype 50

Table Name: MisleFacEvents

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 varchar activity_type 22
5 int nonvessel_id 4
6 varchar waterway_name 50
7 varchar event_type 30
8 varchar event_class 46
9 varchar event_subclass 55
10 varchar activity_role 47
11 varchar damage_status 38
12 varchar latitude 21
13 varchar longitude 22

Table Name: MisleVslEvents

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 varchar activity_type 22
5 int vessel_id 4
6 varchar waterway_name 50
7 varchar event_type 30
8 varchar event_class 46
9 varchar event_subclass 55
10 varchar activity_role 50
11 varchar damage_status 35
12 varchar latitude 21
13 varchar longitude 22

Table Name: MisleInjury

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 char incident_dt 10
3 varchar activity_type 22
4 int vessel_id 4
5 varchar relationship_type 25
6 varchar waterway_name 50
7 varchar accident_type 48
8 varchar casualty_type_desc 23
9 varchar latitude 21
10 varchar longitude 22

Table Name: MisleFacPoll

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 varchar activity_type 22
5 int nonvessel_id 4
6 varchar waterway_name 50
7 char chris_cd 3
8 varchar substance_name 98
9 varchar substance_class 11
10 varchar substance_subclass 27
11 varchar substance_type 80
12 varchar substance_subtype 75
13 varchar latitude 21
14 varchar longitude 22
15 decimal discharge_amnt_total 12 dec 1
16 decimal discharge_amnt_water 12 dec 1
17 decimal discharge_amnt_land 12 dec 1
18 decimal discharge_amnt_air 12 dec 1
19 decimal discharge_amnt_enclosed 12 dec 1
20 decimal potential_amnt_total 12 dec 1
21 decimal potential_amnt_water 12 dec 1
22 decimal potential_amnt_land 12 dec 1
23 decimal potential_amnt_air 12 dec 1
24 decimal potential_amnt_enclosed 12 dec 1
25 decimal contained_amnt 12 dec 1
26 varchar discharge_potential_type 11
27 varchar discharge_situation_type 44
28 varchar discharge_estimated_land 11
29 varchar discharge_estimated_air 11
30 varchar discharge_estimated_water 11
31 varchar discharge_estimated_encl 11
32 varchar potential_case 18
33 varchar potential_estimated 11
34 varchar contained_estimated 11
35 varchar unit_of_measure 26
36 varchar activity_role 47
37 varchar damage_status 38

Table Name: MisleVslPoll

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 varchar activity_type 22
5 int vessel_id 4
6 varchar waterway_name 50
7 char chris_cd 3
8 varchar substance_name 98
9 varchar substance_class 11
10 varchar substance_subclass 27
11 varchar substance_type 80
12 varchar substance_subtype 75
13 varchar latitude 21
14 varchar longitude 22
15 decimal discharge_amnt_total 13 dec 1
16 decimal discharge_amnt_water 13 dec 1
17 decimal discharge_amnt_land 13 dec 1
18 decimal discharge_amnt_air 13 dec 1
19 decimal discharge_amnt_enclosed 13 dec 1
20 decimal potential_amnt_total 13 dec 1
21 decimal potential_amnt_water 13 dec 1
22 decimal potential_amnt_land 13 dec 1
23 decimal potential_amnt_air 13 dec 1
24 decimal potential_amnt_enclosed 13 dec 1
25 decimal contained_amnt 13 dec 1
26 varchar discharge_potential_type 11
27 varchar discharge_situation_type 44
28 varchar discharge_estimated_land 11
29 varchar discharge_estimated_air 11
30 varchar discharge_estimated_water 11
31 varchar discharge_estimated_encl 11
32 varchar potential_case 18
33 varchar potential_estimated 11
34 varchar contained_estimated 11
35 varchar unit_of_measure 26
36 varchar activity_role 50
37 varchar damage_status 38

Table Name: MisleOtherPoll

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int activity_id 4
2 int case_id 4
3 char incident_dt 10
4 varchar activity_type 22
5 int other_id 4
6 varchar subject_name 70
7 varchar waterway_name 50
8 char chris_cd 3
9 varchar substance_name 98
10 varchar substance_class 11
11 varchar substance_subclass 27
12 varchar substance_type 80
13 varchar substance_subtype 75
14 varchar latitude 21
15 varchar longitude 22
16 decimal discharge_amnt_total 12 dec 1
17 decimal discharge_amnt_water 12 dec 1
18 decimal discharge_amnt_land 12 dec 1
19 decimal discharge_amnt_air 12 dec 1
20 decimal discharge_amnt_enclosed 12 dec 1
21 decimal potential_amnt_total 12 dec 1
22 decimal potential_amnt_water 12 dec 1
23 decimal potential_amnt_land 12 dec 1
24 decimal potential_amnt_air 12 dec 1
25 decimal potential_amnt_enclosed 12 dec 1
26 decimal contained_amnt 12 dec 1
27 varchar discharge_potential_type 11
28 varchar discharge_situation_type 44
29 varchar discharge_estimated_land 11
30 varchar discharge_estimated_air 11
31 varchar discharge_estimated_water 11
32 varchar discharge_estimated_encl 11
33 varchar potential_case 18
34 varchar potential_estimated 11
35 varchar contained_estimated 11
36 varchar unit_of_measure 26

Table Name: MisleVessel

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 char gk_d_vessel 28
2 char vessel_id 15
3 varchar vessel_name 50
4 char managing_owner_id 28
5 varchar managing_owner 120
6 varchar gross_ton 8
7 varchar net_ton 8
8 varchar length 7
9 varchar breadth 7
10 varchar depth 7
11 varchar itc_breadth 7
12 varchar itc_depth 7
13 varchar itc_gross_ton 8
14 varchar itc_length 7
15 varchar itc_net_ton 8
16 varchar draft_design 8
17 char draft_design_units 2
18 char dead_weight_ton 8
19 char deadweighttonnage_units 2
20 char flag_abbr 2
21 varchar hailing_port 50
22 varchar hailing_port_state 2
23 varchar hailing_port_province 50
24 varchar route_type 50
25 varchar classification_society 80
26 varchar cargo_authorization_type 30
27 char documented_ind 1
28 varchar documented_status_type 30
29 char inspected_ind 1
30 varchar inspected_desc 30
31 char state_vessel_ind 1
32 varchar state_vessel_desc 30
33 char lloyds_ind 1
34 varchar lloyds_desc 30
35 char solas_ind 1
36 varchar solas_desc 30
37 varchar insp_subchapter_type 255
38 varchar vessel_class 50
39 varchar vessel_type 50
40 varchar vessel_subtype 50
41 varchar vessel_service 30
42 varchar max_passengers_allowed 6
43 varchar max_crew 6
44 varchar self_propelled_ind 1
45 varchar propulsion_type 30
46 varchar hull_material 30
47 varchar hull_design_type 30
48 varchar hull_double_bottom_type 30
49 varchar hull_double_side_type 30
50 varchar call_sign 8
51 varchar official_number 10
52* varchar primary_vin 30
53 varchar hull_number 30
54 varchar rbs_hull_number 30
55 varchar imo_number 30
56 varchar vessel_age 4
57 varchar build_shipyard 50
58 char build_year 4
59 varchar hull_build_party_name 80
60 varchar completed_by_party_name 80
61 varchar horsepower_ahead 5
62 varchar horsepower_astern 5
63 varchar forebody_type_desc 30
64 varchar hull_configuration 30
65 varchar hull_shape 30
66 char filler 1

*new field added October 2007

Table Name: MisleFacility

Column No. Type Column Name Length
1 int gk_d_facility 4
2 int msn_non_vessel_id 4
3 varchar facility_name 34
4 varchar facility_type_desc 29
5 varchar facility_subtype_desc 26
6 char facility_state_abbr 2
7 varchar nav_hazard_desc 23
8 varchar pollution_source_desc 22
9 varchar public_safety_risk_desc 24
10 varchar primary_id_type_desc 23
11 varchar primary_id 17
12 varchar latitude 21
13 varchar longitude 22
14 varchar manned_platform_desc 21
15 varchar helo_deck_desc 23
16 varchar inspected_facility_desc 22
17 char current_ind 1

File Names Number of Records
MisleActivity.txt 36,951
MisleFacEvents.txt 7,375
MisleVslEvents.txt 39,053
MisleInjury.txt 4,872
MisleFacPoll.txt 5,780
MisleVslPoll.txt 8,424
MisleOtherPoll.txt 5,183
MisleVessel.txt 936,826
MisleFacility.txt 42,253