Thursday, January 11, 9:15 – 10:45, Red Room

Moderated by Jennifer Lincoln, NIOSH

Commercial fishing continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States (U.S.), it is an industry comprised of 36,000+ commercial fishing industry vessels. Coast Guard casualty data shows a high number of fishing vessel losses are a result of contributing conditions such as human factors, equipment failure, and poor system maintenance. Similarly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reports that globally, fishing is one of the most hazardous professions, resulting in thousands of fishers losing their lives every year.

There has been a downward trend of U.S. fishing vessel sinkings and crew fatalities over the past several decades.  In the 1980’s, the U.S. fishing industry averaged 200+ operational vessel losses and 50+ crew fatalities (annually). In the period between 2002 to 2021, the U.S. fishing industry averaged 59+ operational vessel losses and 29+ crew fatalities annually.

These downward trends are influenced by advancing regulations and safety policies, Fishing Safety Advisory Committee recommendations, targeted outreach campaigns, and Coast Guard partnerships with the fishing industry.  Though certain casualty numbers have declined over time, we recognize the need for a continued focus on vessel safety in an ever-evolving industry.

Marine casualty investigations play a significant role to identify contributing causal factors. As such, safety recommendations are formulated to address relevant safety concerns. As a result, new safeguards and policies may be promulgated for adoption by fishing industry stakeholder.

The objectives of this presentation are to:

-Provide an overview of fishing vessel marine casualty causal factors.

-Identify safeguards and best practices that influence vessel safety preparedness.

This presentation will introduce a variety of contributing factors to fishing vessel marine casualties.  Prudent decision-making actions to mitigate adverse safety conditions will be presented, with an aim to reduce the likelihood of a marine casualty or loss of life due to unsafe conditions.

The Seaworthy Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization. Our mission is to improve safety in the commercial fishing industry. Dr. Scott Fulmer, a research scientist in ergonomics and epidemiology, is a member of our Board. I am the Executive Director. We recently applied to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Health) for funding a research project through the NIOSH-United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cooperative Agreement. The project will analyze USCG data on commercial fishing vessel casualties, primarily the USCG’s Investigation Reports of vessel losses, to determine the predominant causes of fishing vessel casualties, assess the USCG’s recommendations for preventing future similar casualties and determine whether these recommendations have been adopted and, if not, why not. Our working theory is that lack of stability has been consistently identified as a cause of fishing vessel casualties, and that the USCG has consistently recommended the adoption of regulations requiring mandatory minimum stability testing of uninspected commercial fishing vessels, but these proposed regulations have not been adopted. The USCG has provided a “Letter of Support” pledging its cooperation and assistance with this project. In addition to analyzing USCG report, we also plan to have our researchers be provided with additional detail about the contents of the USCG’s databases, how they were compiled and the fact-gathering process. Ultimately, we will be interviewing key USCG personnel about the cause determinations and recommendations, as well as insight into the rulemaking process and whatever constraints may be preventing the adoption of mandatory stability regulations. We hope to have our findings published, and that they will become a springboard for the adoption of mandatory stability regulations. Scott and I would like to give a presentation on our research project. I have attached several materials, including an excerpt of our application (with references) and the Letters of Support we have received.

The continuing losses of fishing vessels and their crews through capsizing is a worldwide problem. Vessels will capsize when the stability of the craft and cargo is inadequate.

Stability is a dynamic parameter which changes throughout a voyage, and so measurement of the stability at sea is vital for the safety of the vessel, the cargo and all on board.

Commercial fishing remains the most dangerous peacetime occupation in most countries. The accident fatality rate in developed countries exceeds 100 fatalities per 100,000 active fishers and is probably even higher in developing countries where no formal accident reporting systems are in place.

The new UK Code of Practice (CoP) for under 15m fishing vessels is an unprecedented effort to improve safety within the small-scale UK fishing industry. The CoP states that ‘vessels not required to hold a Stability Information Book must have a Wolfson Stability Notice posted on board the vessel, which gives information on the loading of the vessel and its effect on stability’.

The Notice enables small scale fishermen to assess the limits for operating their own boats safely in relation to the prevailing seastate. The only information required to derive such limits are the vessel’s length and beam. The Method, consisting in a Stability Notice and a Freeboard Guidance Mark, was formulated by the Wolfson Unit in 2004-06 and stems from model scale capsize tests.

This presentation describes the findings of a two-year collaborative effort aimed at stress-testing the Wolfson Method in relation to the CoP. The key strands of this work include marine accident investigation work, reanalysis of vessel casualty data up to 2021, simplified stability assessments for vessels without approved stability information and model scale capsize tests in the new 138m Boldrewood Towing Tank, the largest University facility of this kind in the UK.

These ongoing efforts involve the Wolfson Unit, the Public Policy Southampton team, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

This presentation on fishing vessel safety and stability aims to introduce safety of small fishing vessels through strength in their design and construction. It also discusses some basic principles of small fishing vessel stability and provides guidance on the maintenance of adequate boat stability through good practices while operating at sea. Small scale fishing boat safety measures promoted by FAO are based on design and construction standards laid down in the document “FAO/ILO/IMO Safety recommendations for fishing vessels…”. Several illustrations used in the presentation are based on FAO’s recent work in Sri Lanka. Hull strength and structure, built in buoyancy and fiberglass working practices are addressed. The presentation will explain some basic principles on the stability of small fishing vessels with information and excerpts from the FAO document “Safety practices related to small fishing vessel stability”. It depicts through several sketches good practices to be followed by fishes to ensure the stability and safety of their vessels while fishing at sea. The presenter will also conduct a short practical session using a boat model to demonstrate the effects on stability when a fishing boat is loaded in various condition. The presentation may serve as a guide for those concerned with training, research, construction, use and inspection of fishing vessels in matters of both vessel strength and safety.