Commercial Fishing Safety Rules
Coast Guard Proposes New Rulemaking to Better Protect Fishermen
Mar 31, 2008
Commercial fishing remains as one of most dangerous professions in the United States. An analysis was conducted by the Coast Guard of vessel losses and fatalities occurring between 1994 and 2004. During this period, 1398 commercial fishing vessels were lost and 641 fishermen died. The Agency is proposing new rulemaking to better protect fishermen from serious injury or death.
The Coast Guard is reviewing previous studies and recommendations provided by the National Transportation Safety Board to develop new safety rules for these commercial vessels. Even if proposed rules are not immediately adopted, following these safety suggestions will benefit boaters of all stripes.
Vessel Stability and Watertight Integrity - Maintaining vessel stability and preserving watertight compartments greatly reduces the risk of flooding and sinking which is a major cause of death for all types of boaters. Some ideas being considered are:
- Stability training for skippers of vessels more than 30 feet in length
- Upgrading requirements for watertight integrity of vessels
- Revision of current stability calculations and instructions
- Emphasizing owner as well as master's responsibility for insuring vessel stability
- Written notification to the Coast Guard of any structural changes to a boat that impact stability
Vessel Maintenance and Self-Examination - It is well established that poor maintenance contributes to hull and equipment failures. The Coast Guard ten year analysis showed 69% of vessel loses were attributed to these failures. Areas of interest are:
- The high number of wooden vessels involved in losses
- Mandatory inspections of commercial fishing vessels by the Coast Guard
- Training vessel owners and operators to effectively self-inspect their boats
- Requiring a more formal process to document vessel self-inspections
Immersion or Survival Suits - Immersion suits are proven lifesavers and required to be aboard documented fishing vessels operating seaward of the boundary line and north of 32 degrees north latitude. The Coast Guard is looking at adding this requirement for all vessels operating in seasonally cold waters and all water north of 32 degrees regardless of the boundary line. Coast Guard data indicates fishermen using survival equipment have almost twice the chance to stay alive as those unprepared for an emergency and use of immersion suits improves these odds even more.
Crew Preparedness and Training - Training is proven to reduce boating casualties. Agency considerations for improving fishing crew training include:
- Requiring recurring crew safety and survival training
- Requiring recurring safety drills and designation of a vessel safety officer
- Establishment of minimum training standards for safety instructors and drill conductors
- Requiring all crewmembers to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every three years
Required Safety Equipment - New requirements for safety equipment could include:
- Greater use of EPIRBs
- Greater use of certified survival craft and establishment of embarkation stations
- Installation of high-water warning alarms
- Elimination of excess safety equipment found onboard that is outdated or improperly inspected
The Coast Guard is soliciting public comment on its proposed improvements to fishing vessel safety and will continue to refine its safety regulations for fishermen.
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