APRIL 6, 2015
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Coast Guard crews operating in Rosario Strait and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca terminated the voyages of two commercial fishing vessels for
safety gear concerns in the past 36 hours.
Both vessels were safely escorted to port and will remain in
port until commercial fishing vessel examiners from Coast Guard Sector Puget
Sound, in Seattle, verify safety deficiencies have been corrected.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo terminated the
voyage of the fishing vessel Daybreak in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Thursday.
Law enforcement officers observed a lack of life raft, visual distress signals
or emergency position indicating radio beacon aboard. There was also an
insufficient number of immersion suits aboard. Wahoo’s crew safely escorted the
vessel to Neah Bay.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark terminated the
voyage of a state-registered fishing vessel near Anacortes, Washington,
Wednesday morning. During the course of a boarding, law enforcement officers
observed no sound producing device, insufficient life jackets and a lack of
current fishing vessel inspection. The vessel was safely escorted to Anacortes.
“It’s imperative for mariners to have crucial safety
equipment on board,” said Dan Hardin, 13th Coast Guard District commercial
fishing vessel safety coordinator. “The chances of survival are immediately
lessened when this vital gear is either not on board or inoperable.”
Passing a Coast Guard fishing vessel examination is
mandatory beginning Oct. 15. Any vessel operating more than three miles
offshore must also display a commercial fishing vessel safety decal indicating
the vessel passed examination.
Commercial fishing vessel operators can ensure they have all
the required safety equipment for their vessel by requesting a courtesy
dockside exam from the Coast Guard by calling 206 220-7226.
Wahoo and Blue Shark are 87-foot patrol boats homeported in
Port Angeles and Everett, respectively.