Since the commercial Dungeness crab season began on January 15th, US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland marine investigators have responded to 28 marine accidents involving commercial fishing vessels, with no reported deaths or serious injuries, but with most recent causalities including loss of propulsion, loss of steering, loss of power, fire, collisions, grounding and personnel injuries.
Since the start of the season, the USCG said that the Marine Safety Unit Portland personnel has responded to an average of one marine accident per day. Lt. Michael Tappan, chief of investigations division, Marine Safety Unit Portland, noted:
Most reported incidents are a result of equipment failures on vessels which are not ready for operation, poor maintenance, and negligent operations while underway. These accidents endanger the crews onboard each of these commercial fishing vessels, other nearby vessels, and Coast Guard search and rescue personnel.
Marine Safety Unit Portland personnel recently issued a notice of violation to a commercial fishing vessel operator in the amount of $5,250 for negligent operations after the vessel grounded due to lack of a proper lookout while transiting in the vicinity of Baker Channel at the mouth of the Columbia River. Capt. Tom Griffitts, commanding officer, Marine Safety Unit Portland, stated:
“While we prefer all vessel owners and operators be prepared for operations at sea, our marine investigators will continue to investigate marine accidents and issue appropriate enforcement actions to owners and operators who operate substandard vessels and/or operate in a negligent manner.”
