Maritime News

Commercial fishing is the most dangerous occupation with over thirty-five times the average amount of occupational deaths annually.  In just 15 years (1992-2007), 934 U.S. fishermen were killed.  According to the U.S Coast Guard, more than half of these deaths occurred when fishing vessels were capsized or sank.  Just over one quarter of the deaths were due to falling or being pulled overboard.  Most of the rest were accidental; causes include diving accidents and being struck by heavy equipment.  Larger ships had higher loss rates.  

Last year, the sinking of the Alaska Ranger and of the Katmai brought national atention the dangers that are faced by workers in the Alaskan fishing industry.  These incidents prompted the National Transportation Board to call for mandatory safety inspections.    

 

Congress is considering a new bill that they hope will make safety a priority.  The new bill would require safety inspections to be performed at least every other year.  Other recommendations include safety training for skippers and safer construction standards for vessels over 50 feet long. This would be the first major over hall of commercial fishing law an there appears to be no major opposition to the new standards.  

 

Representative James Oberstar, D-Minn., is the author of the bill.  He is the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.    

Fisherman may be covered under Jones Act Law. 

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