A method, computer program product, mobile communication device, and a shipment tracking system provide automated incident recording, reporting, and response protocols, including operator directives. The method includes receiving an input identifying an occurrence of an incident associated with a shipment entity, the shipment entity being one or more of a vessel, an operator, and a cargo being transported via the vessel. The method includes, in response to the input, presenting on a user interface (UI) of an operator mobile communication device (MCD) one or more selectable incident reporting options to activate incident response, data recording, and reporting (IRDRR) protocols. The method further includes generating and presenting an incident response UI that instructs the operator of specific sequence of steps to take in response to the incident and to complete an incident information gathering process. The method further includes automatically transmitting/uploading a notification of the incident to an incident management server.