Champion’s Point of View

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council magazine by RADM Kevin S. Cook, U.S. Coast Guard Director of Prevention Policy

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 was four years in the making and contains provisions that will expand the Coast Guard’s authority and involvement with commercial fishing vessels. Among its provisions, it requires fishing vessels operating more than three nautical miles beyond the baseline to be examined at least once every two years.

Up until now, the Coast Guard’s Fishing Vessel Safety Program has relied on voluntary dockside exams. Much of our effort involved conducting outreach and convincing fishing vessel owners to accept a safety exam.

But with implementation of the Authorization Act, fishing vessel owners now will have to seek out examiners.

Our aim is to reduce the number of fishing vessel casualties and fatalities. We do not want the commercial fishing industry to continue to be the most hazardous occupation in the country.

Join me in making prevention of casualties on commercial fishing vessels a priority and a reality.

Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/winter2010-11/
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