Sector Charleston Prevention Department

Sector Charleston is responsible for all Coast Guard operations directed at preventing maritime casualties, accidents, and security incidents.  The Prevention Department is divided into three areas: Inspections, Investigations, and Waterways Management.

Inspections - (843) 740-3180 Option 3 (Port State) or Option 4 (Domestic)

• Facilities - Applies to facilities regulated by 33 CFR 105, 126 and/or 154.
• Port State Control - Inspects foreign commercial freight vessels to include Bulk, Tank (Tank vessels must schedule inspections at least 7 days in advance), Container, Passenger, and LNG/LPG Ships.
• Domestic Vessels - T-boats, K-boats, H-boats, uninspected passenger and towing vessels, and commercial freight ships.

Investigations - For immediate marine casualty or accident notification call (843) 740-7050. For all other investigation issues please call (843) 740-3180 Option 6 or (843) 740-3187 The Marine Investigations Program investigates deaths, injuries, property loss, and environmental damage to determine the associated human performance, equipment, and environmental causal factors; investigates merchant mariner negligence, misconduct, incompetence, and dangerous drug use leading to appropriate remedial MMC suspension or revocation; investigates criminal and civil offenses for assessment of civil penalties or referral for criminal prosecution; analyzes trends and risks in the maritime industries.

Waterways Management - (843) 740-3180 Option 5
Safeguards the port by minimizing personnel injuries and the damage or loss of property associated with vessel and commercial waterway activities with 300 miles of coastline & major inland commerce routes.  WWM fosters close partnerships with the marine industry and local, state and federal agencies, ensuring navigation safety with Sector Charleston's AOR for myriad operations & marine events.

Paperwork Request/Submittal:

Marine Events, Fireworks Addendums, WAMS Surveys

To obtain information pertaining to Marine Event requests, Fireworks Addendum submittals, or Waterways Analysis and Management Studies (WAMS), contact the Waterways Management Team at (843) 720-3274 or click here to send an email request.