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Extension
Safety at Sea

Commercial fishing in the US continues to rank at or near the top of the list of “most hazardous occupations.” There have been many attempts to raise safety standards (voluntarily or through regulation) over past decades, but the prevailing opposition, including commercial fishermen, accepts the high risks of commercial fishing relative to the cost of meeting those standards. Connecticut Sea Grant Extension is collaborating with fishermen, scientists and policy-makers to ensure safety at sea for commercial and research ventures.

scientists move into safety rafts
Scientists at the University of Connecticut
practice various sea safety skills.

Click on the links below to learn more about Extension Programs in Safety at Sea.

* About Safety at Sea
* Initiatives for Safety at Sea
* Websites of Interest
For information, contact:
 Nancy Balcom at: nancy.balcom@uconn.edu

About Safety at Sea


Commercial fishing in the US continues to rank at or near the top of the list of “most hazardous occupations.” The 1988 Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act, and its associated regulations and voluntary programs, were designed to improve safety by focusing on preparing fishermen to survive a casualty (as opposed to preventing one). The result has been a modest reduction in losses. According to the 1999 report, Living to Fish, Dying to Fish, prepared by the Fishing Vessel Casualty Task Force, a comparison of fatality and vessel loss rates for a five-year, post-1988 Act period to a five-year, pre-Act period indicates an apparent 20% decrease of lives and vessels lost. This falls short of reducing fishing vessel casualties to levels approaching that of other commercial vessels. There have been many attempts to raise safety standards (voluntarily or through regulation) over past decades, but the prevailing opposition, including commercial fishermen, accepts the high risks of commercial fishing relative to the cost of meeting those standards.
scientists swim to safety rafts

Extension Initiatives in Safety at Sea

 

Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety (developing)
In collaboration with the US Coast Guard, CTSG Extension has recently begun to offer opportunities for hands-on “refresher” safety training for commercial fishermen, sometimes in conjunction with the annual Blessing of the Fleet events in Stonington. The events include demonstrations of life raft launching, proper donning of immersion suits, use of flares, fire extinguishers, and EPIRBS, among others. CTSG plans to develop and expand this program to be offered on a more formal basis to industry members.

Safety at Sea for Scientists and Researchers (developing)
In 2001, in conjunction with OR Sea Grant, WHOI Sea Grant, and the US Coast Guard, CTSG hosted a hands-on, safety at sea training course designed specifically for scientists and researchers who go to sea. The eight-hour course emphasized practical, hands-on marine safety training. Topics included emergency preparation, cold water near drowning, cold water survival skills, hypothermia, immersion suits / PFDs, life rafts, marine fire fighting, dewatering pumps, onboard drills, signal flares/EPIRBS, distress calls and man overboard. CTSG is working to develop and expand this program to be offered on a regular basis as a service to university and agency scientists who spend time at sea.

 

scientists discuss boat safety

Websites


www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cfvs/index.htm
(US Coast Guard fishing vessel safety page)
 



Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
University of Connecticut - Avery Point
Marine Science Building
1080 Shennecossett Road
Groton, Connecticut 06340-6048
Telephone (860) 405-9127
Facsimile (860) 405-9109

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 This Page Updated on January 13, 2007