COMMERCIAL FISHING SAFETY

Vessel Disasters

Vessel disasters are sinkings, capsizings, groundings, fires, or other events that force crews to abandon ship. Vessel disasters were a leading cause of commercial fishing fatalities during 2010–2014 and accounted for 37% of all deaths during 2010-2014. The leading causes of fatal events were being struck by large waves and flooding.

Recommendations:

• Take a marine safety class at least every five years.
• Conduct monthly drills for abandon ship, fire, and flooding.
• Ensure watertight integrity of the vessel.
• Maintain proper watch.

Falls Overboard

During 2010–2014, 22 crewmembers died from drowning after falling overboard, contributing to 37% of fatalities in the region. None of the fishermen were wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) when they drowned. In 12 (55%) of these cases, the falls overboard were not witnessed, either because the fishermen were alone on the vessel (7) or alone on deck (5). Of the falls overboard for which causes were known, four (36%) were caused by gear entanglements.

Recommendations:

• Wear a PFD on deck.
• Use a man-overboard alarm system.
• Add effective recovery devices and re-boarding ladders.
• Conduct man-overboard drills monthly.
• Use engineering controls to prevent gear entanglement.

Onboard Fatalities

Of the seven crewmembers who died from injuries sustained onboard vessels, two were due to unintentional drug overdoses and one was a suicide. The remaining onboard fatalities involved two crewmembers becoming entangled in equipment, one being struck by equipment, and one who suffered multiple fatal injuries after his vessel collided with a channel marker.

Recommendations:

• Install safety devices on deck machinery

Fatalities occurred in 19 different known fisheries along the East Coast, with five contributing to almost half (48%) of the deaths (Figure 2).

Northeast Lobster
The lobster fishery had the highest number of fatalities with more deaths caused by falls overboard (5, 50%) than vessel disasters (3, 30%). There were also two deaths that occurred when divers were checking traps and lines. NIOSH recommends wearing a PFD on deck at all times. Also, there are engineering controls available which can help reduce the chance of gear entanglement specifically designed for lobstermen.

Atlantic Scallop
The second highest number of fatalities occurred in the scallop fishery, with three deaths caused by two vessel disasters, two deaths caused by falls overboard, and one death caused by an onboard injury.

• Danger of Deckhand Entanglement During Lobstering

• Northeastern Winch Safety Improvement Project

• East Coast Fishing Hazard: Discarded Munitions –
  Notes from the Field: Exposures to Discarded Sulfur Mustard Munitions — Mid-Atlantic and New England States 2004–2012
  What’s Your Catch: Dangers in Dredging Old Bombs from the New Jersey Ocean Floor

For more statistical information and detailed recommendations on how to keep you and your fellow crewmembers safe, open or download the full regional summary: Commercial Fishing Fatality Summary, East Coast Region (2010-2014)

For more information about other regions, visit our Alaska, West Coast, and Gulf of Mexico regional summary pages.