FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 21, 1999
Contact: Cathy McDermott
(202) 267-2304
CG 03-99
Coast Guard To Establish
Fishing Vessel Task Force
The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it will establish a Fishing Vessel Casualty Task Force to examine the unprecedented number of fishing vessel accidents and deaths since the beginning of 1999.
"I commend the U.S. Coast Guard’s aggressive action to ensure the safety of these fishing vessels," Transportation Secretary Slater said. "Work like this demonstrates President Clinton’s leadership in keeping Americans safe on our waters."
The task force expects to present its findings in March.
In recent weeks, fishing vessel casualties have occurred offshore the following northeastern United States communities:
- F/V PREDATOR, Ocean City, Md., one death, one survivor
- F/V CAPE FEAR, Buzzards Bay, Mass., one death, one missing, three survivors
- F/V BETH DEE BOB, Pt. Pleasant Beach, N.J., two deaths, two missing
- F/V ADRIATIC, Barnegat Light, N.J., four missing
The task force, led by the Coast Guard, will include fishing vessel experts from the Coast Guard, other federal agencies and members of the commercial fishing industry. The objective is to determine common causal factors and examine such issues as crew qualifications, training and performance of safety equipment. The task force then will provide quick feedback to the industry and determine where safety efforts should focus, drawing on techniques that have been successful in preventing accidents in other segments of the maritime industry.
In the interim, the Coast Guard is alerting the fishing community to:
- prevent capsizing caused by improperly loaded boats;
- prevent flooding caused by overlooked maintenance of hull and equipment;
- ensure lifesaving equipment is operable and the crew is trained in the proper use;
- increase awareness of the impact weather has on vessel stability; and
- help spread the word to prevent casualties.
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