Nevertheless, Coast Guard main casualty (CASMAIN) and search and rescue (SAR) data indicate that maintenance deficiencies involving hulls and fittings, propulsion equipment, and other systems affect all types of uninspected fishing vessels. Such an effort was beyond the scope of this study. To obtain even a rough estimate would require a vessel-by-vessel physical review of design and construction documents (insofar as they were used and are still available) and inspection of material condition for a representative sample of the fishing fleet. Unfortunately, there are no data to determine how many fishing vessels can be considered unseaworthy, either by design or by material condition. There are some, however, whose seaworthiness is questionable. Many fishing vessels are well designed, constructed, and maintained. NATURE AND CAUSES OF FISHING VESSEL SAFETY PROBLEMS This chapter focuses on uninspected fishing vessels (see box, p. Therefore, understanding the vessel as a complex system of transport, domicile, workplace, and product storehouse and knowing what can happen to or on it are essential to modifying it to improve safety. In some cases, accidents may be better prevented through vessel design modifications (National Research Council, 1985) and engineering and technical solutions. Although fishermen 's actions and behavior are instrumental in the chain of events that cause accidents, not all accidents can be prevented solely by modifying their behavior.
#Fishing vessel meaning full
Fishermen increase their exposure to risk by the way they interact with the vessel, machinery, or fishing gear: for example, improperly operated winches, walking under suspended gear like crab pots, working on deck without protective clothing, or standing under a brailer full of fish. The vessel as a working platform is the site of a variety of occupational accidents fishermen fall, are knocked off, or become entangled in fishing gear and are pulled into the water. For those trapped on a sinking or capsized vessel, it can become a tomb. If forced to abandon ship, all on board may end up in the water or in a life raft.
Ultimately, vessel loss or damage results, often accompanied by deaths or injuries.
Fishing vessels flood, founder, capsize, burn, go aground, collide, and break down. Danger is present during all phases of fishing operations-pretrip loading, transit to and from the fishing grounds, fishing, and unloading. This study and the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (CFIVSA) arose from concern for people exposed to dangers on board fishing vessels.