The US issued six safety recommendations on 27 October after investigating an August 2024 collision near Monroe, Michigan, between a 15.7-foot research uncrewed surface vessel and a privately owned recreational boat. One recommendation asks the Coast Guard to develop a national regulatory framework for uncrewed surface vessels.
Investigators found only about one foot of the drone boat's hull was visible above water and that radar and automatic identification systems on recreational boats would be unlikely to detect it. It was also inadequately monitored. One minor injury was reported.
Source: professionalmariner.com
Limits
The recommendations are not rules; the Coast Guard has not been reported to act.