Category: Safe Boat – Smart Boat

SAFE BOAT – SMART BOAT: Abandoning ship Part 4 – Surviving aboard the liferaft

The following is the final installment in our four-part series focused on the decision to abandon ship and then taking the steps necessary to maximize chances for survival and rescue.  —Editor Immediately after abandoning ship and gaining the shelter of a liferaft, survivors are likely to be cold, wet, exhausted, and possibly suffering from varying …

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Abandoning ship Part 3:  Boarding the liferaft

[pullquote align=”left|center|right” textalign=”left|center|right” width=”100%”] Coast Guard seeks applicants for safety advisory committee WASHINGTON, DC – The Coast Guard is currently seeking applications for membership on its Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. The Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard and the Dept. of Homeland Security on various matters relating to the safe operation …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Abandoning ship Part 2 – Launching the liferaft properly

The following is Part 2 of a multi-part series focused on the decision to abandon ship and then taking the steps necessary to maximize chances for survival and rescue.  Watch for additional parts in this series in subsequent issues.   —Editor Inevitably when I am doing training, during the donning-the-immersion-suit drill, someone will ask: “What …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Abandoning ship…

The decision no fisherman ever wants to make; how to prepare for disaster, survival, and rescue The following is Part 1 of a multi-part series focused on the decision to abandon ship and then taking the steps necessary to maximize chances for survival and rescue.  Watch for additional parts in this series in subsequent issues. …

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Fish Safe: Signed, sealed & delivered

The health information envelope In the December issue of Commercial Fisheries News, SAFE BOAT-SMART BOAT columnist Fred Mattera explained several steps important to “safety on the job” aboard fishing vessels. His comments were prefaced by the observation that many captains may currently be finding it difficult to gather a full experienced crew before heading out …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Safety on the job…

…raining, orientation essential for inexperienced crew   One of the most common concerns and subjects of discussion among commercial fishing vessel owners and captains these days is not about fisheries management regulations. It’s about the lack of good, experienced crew. Maybe you know this scenario.  The plan is to meet at midnight at the boat …

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Safe Boat – Smart Boat

Crew safety orientation vital for all fishing vessel operators   Obviously, all vessels should be equipped with features to ensure the safety of the crew.  But crewmen should also be aware of these features and knowledgeable about their use.  And that can’t be assumed; it must be taught and practiced. All fish vessel captains and …

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SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Transiting unfamilar waters? Know how to read and use the buoyage system for navigable waters

Due to draconian quota reductions on groundfish in the Northeast, as we all know, many local fishing vessels have shifted their fishing grounds logistically to the south and southwest in recent years. From 2010 through present times, many vessels have bought landing permits for New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina – allowing them access to …

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SAFE BOAT SMART BOAT: Employing good basic seamanship skills for collision avoidance

One aspect of the drills I often conduct on fishing vessels, has led me to use a DVD developed by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education www.swagcenter.org titled “Communication, Navigation, and Mayday.” This really is an awesome tool – showing animated vessels performing and describing the rules of the road. It …

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Signal devices (flares) make you bigger, brighter, and different

I was prompted to review the use of flares this month after recently reading an article of a 60’ sightseeing vessel with 27 people onboard that capsized so quickly that no distress call was made. Fortunately, the life raft deployed – providing shelter for some of the individuals – and unbeknownst to them they found a …

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