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A qualified Coast Guard-approved marine drill instructor, Fred Mattera of Point Judith, RI is the owner\/president of North East Safety Training Co. (NESTCo), which conducts fishing vessel drills and inspections and basic safety training workshops.
A commercial fisherman for 40 years, Mattera is a member of the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee to the Coast Guard, and, since 1998, has been president of the Point Club, a fishing vessel mutual insurance group. He also has served on the board of directors for Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., the principal underwriter for the Point Club and more than 2,000 US fishing vessels, since 1998.<\/p><\/div>\n
While conducting drills and inspections on vessels I have observed incidents like this and many others that lead me to be concerned about the lack of safe fishing practices.<\/p>\n
I have witnessed crewmen tying up to the dock with their hands under the line instead of on top of the line, setting the stage for potentially crushing or snagging their hand or fingers in the cleat.<\/p>\n
During one simulated engine room fire drill, the crew proceeded down the engine room stairs with their backs to the stairs and slid down the last few steps, one of them falling.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen a crewman walking from the coach to the deck and back barefoot and seen open hatches and deckplates unmonitored or partially covered.<\/p>\n
These are the kinds of safety hazards that lead to injuries and possibly even loss of life.\u00a0 Most are generally due to a lack of experience and excessive
\nfatigue.\u00a0 A common phrase heard these days is, \u201cFishermen are going further, staying out longer, and with fewer crew.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what it takes to be profitable but here are a few safety guidelines that everyone can follow to help avoid injuries.<\/p>\n
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- \u00a0 Learn the ropes from experienced crewmembers.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Take time to clean the slime and fish waste off the deck, but always assume that decks will be slippery and move accordingly.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 In addition to slick decks, always be aware of open hatches, loose or swinging rigging, and loose lines or gear on deck.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Stand clear of working lines, warps, and netting.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Keep a sharp knife handy to cut the webbing or line as the gear is being set out so you can cut yourself free before you go overboard if you get snagged.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Don\u2019t stand or walk under suspended loads or pass a suspended load over someone else.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Don\u2019t walk on or straddle lines, and never stand in the loop of a line.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Avoid sliding your hands along wire cables because broken wires can tear your hands.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Always know where fellow crewmen are and be sure you can communicate with each other.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Don\u2019t try to lead cable onto the winches with your hands or feet.\u00a0 Use an iron bar or pipe to guide the cable onto the winch if necessary.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Stay alert when the trawl doors are coming aboard.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Use a stern line or gate in the stern ramp when hauling or setting gear.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Be sure there are physical barriers or guards between equipment and crewmembers.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 When tying up, always place your hands over the line, not beneath the line.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Always face a ladder when climbing up or down and stay clear of tripping hazards.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Know the location of all fire extinguishers and how to operate them.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Never walk barefoot on the deck.\u00a0 Always wear appropriate boots or deck shoes.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Become familiar with emergency procedures and alarms.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Keep all watertight doors and hatches closed and secured, and replace or re-secure hatch covers and deckplates when underway and at sea.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Learn the location of the first-aid kit and use it when needed.\u00a0 Report all injuries, including scratches, cuts, burns, and sprains to the captain at once, no matter how minor they appear to be.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 When repairing, checking, oiling, cleaning, or adjusting equipment, be sure that power switches are turned off and won\u2019t be turned on by other crewmembers.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Avoid loose clothing, hooded sweatshirt strings, and loose-fitting rain gear, especially near winches and belt- or chain-driven equipment.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Notify the captain immediately if you see damaged or defective equipment or any hazard to the crew.\u00a0 Keep safety in mind at all times and know the proper way to perform your job.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Wipe up oil and\/or fuel leaks or spills.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Always notify a fellow crewman before you go into the fish hold or confined space and use a gas monitor if available.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Follow proper watchkeeping standards.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Install emergency shut-off switches for hydraulics and PTOs.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Install spring-loaded valves on all hydraulics, including net drums and winches.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Practice good housekeeping in the galley, engine room, pilothouse, bunkroom, and on deck.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Wear safety glasses when grinding, chipping, or doing other work that produces flying particles.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) in rough seas and while hauling and setting gear at a minimum.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Learn how to lift, load, and unload cargo.\u00a0 Bend your KNEES, not your BACK.<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Never smoke in your bunk, in a confined area, or when fueling.\u00a0 And,<\/li>\n
- \u00a0 Captains, don\u2019t allow alcohol or illegal drugs onboard.\u00a0 Crewmen, don\u2019t bring them.\u00a0 If you are taking prescribed medication, inform the captain and show him the\u00a0prescription.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A lot of these safety guidelines may seem like plain common sense, especially to seasoned fishermen who know how dangerous their world is.\u00a0 But a green crewmember or someone who\u2019s moving into a different fishery may not recognize new hazards.<\/p>\n
Understanding and staying alert to the dangers can help you and that new guy keep your fingers, your gear, and your life.\u00a0 Keep your mind on your work, and try to anticipate what will happen next.\u00a0 Injuries happen fast.<\/p>\n
Fred Mattera<\/p>\n
NESTCo<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nRead the rest of these features and much more in the October issue of<\/strong>\u00a0Commercial Fisheries News.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Read our Online Flip-Book immediately by purchasing this month’s access key.\u00a0PDF download available when you purchase any issue<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Originally printed – October 2011 He was fairly new to trawling and he made a bad mistake.\u00a0 Maybe it was a lack of sleep or physical fatigue that caused a lapse in concentration.\u00a0 Whatever the reason, the break in attention was long enough for him to forget to remove his hand from the stern rail … <\/p>\n