Failure to maintain survival and lifesaving equipment on a commercial fishing vessel is asking for trouble. The Coast Guard is especially concerned about compliance in Alaska in the winter. These fishermen will get a safety exam dockside before they go to sea again.
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JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard Cutter Naushon terminated the voyages of two 50-foot and one 45-foot commercial fishing vessels Wednesday near Craig for safety violations.
A boarding team from the Coast Guard Cutter Naushon terminated the voyage of all three vessels between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. One of the fishing vessels was terminated due to an expired life raft, while the other two were terminated due to lack of a primary lifesaving device. Two of the vessels also had expired documentation.
Life rafts aboard commercial fishing vessels must be repacked annually and the hydrostatic release must be replaced or serviced in the required time frame depending on the type.
"Life rafts and flotation devices have made the difference between life and death many times in Alaska," Said Capt. Melissa Bert, commander Sector Juneau. "We take the requirement to have them on board seriously."
All the vessels were escorted by the Naushon to Craig. Two of the vessels are homeported in Craig while the third hails from Klawock, Alaska.
The vessels must clear the terminable offenses prior to getting underway. All three vessels were given a compliance option that may reduce or remove any potential fines provided that the vessels pass a dockside safety exam.
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