The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has come out with their "Most Wanted List" for 2009-2010. Making the list for the Maritime Industry in general:

"MARINE: The U. S. Coast Guard should:
Require Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Domestic Vessels.
Require domestic vessel operators to develop, implement, and maintain a systematic • and documented SMS to improve their safety practices and minimize risk."

The NTSB first made the recommendation in 2002 regarding domestic passenger vessels. They again recommended that a SMS be required in 2005 regarding a Staten Island ferry. In 2007 they recommended that the USCG finalize their Towing Vessel Inspections, including requiring a Safety Management System, regarding a fire aboard a construction barge in Louisiana in 2006.

The text of the recommendation can be read at the following link:

http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/mostwanted/marine_SMS-domestic-vessels.htm

A pdf brochure can be downloaded at the following link:

www.ntsb.gov/recs/brochures/MostWanted_2010.pdf

Maybe pressure from the NTSB will get the Department of Homeland Security to finally issue the proposed rule making.