USCG Investigation and Action

The Coast Guard evaluates each potential safety defect report on a case-by-case basis. If we determine there is a "substantial risk" defect, we then contact the manufacturer of the boat or associated equipment and notify them of our preliminary findings.

The manufacturer is given 30 days to rebut these findings or to begin correcting the problem. If we agree with a manufacturer's rebuttal, we close the case. If we believe there is a "substantial risk" defect, we can require the manufacturer to:

• Determine what boats have the defect.
• Notify first purchasers of the defect and its potential consequences.
• Notify first purchasers of how the defect will be corrected.
• Undertake to correct the defect.

If the manufacturer makes a good faith effort to correct the problem and the consumer refuses the offer, the Coast Guard will take no further action and close the file. Also, if the manufacturer has corrected the problem identified, but the consumer is still not satisfied, the Coast Guard will take no further action.

The Coast Guard has no authority to require a manufacturer to give a consumer a new boat or refund a consumer's money. The Coast Guard will also not get involved in a civil suit between a consumer and a boat manufacturer.