Coast Guard: Additional Action Needed to Address Marine Firefighting Challenges

What GAO Found Fires on vessels are among the most dangerous and challenging incidents to which firefighters can respond. Vessels may also carry hazardous cargo, like lithium-ion batteries, further complicating marine firefighting responses. According to U.S. Coast Guard data, there were 886 nearshore marine fires that occurred between 2015 and 2025. About one quarter (206) of these resulted in either death, injury, over $200,000 in damage, or a total loss of the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard is the principal federal agency responsible for overseeing marine safety. For marine firefighting, the Coast Guard plays a coordinating role while land-based fire departments extinguish fires. Following a marine fire that resulted in two firefighter deaths in 2023, the Coast Guard established a task force to address various marine firefighting challenges. The task force has taken several steps to address them but gaps remain. Examples of Firefighting Challenges, Coast Guard Actions, and Gaps Designating consistent Coast Guard field personnel to lead coordination before marine fires occur, facilitating more hands-on training for firefighters on vessels, and establishing an information sharing...