Media report said states that the NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt will chair the two-day forum. Sumwalt said that in 2009, commercial fishing had the highest fatal work injury rate of all occupations in the United States. He added that NTSB main aim is to create a safer environment and eliminating hazardous conditions on the high seas. he informed that the forum will provide a great opportunity to identify strategies to improve safety.
NTSB has already published a safety in 1987 study addressing safety in the commercial fishing industry, where more than 150 safety recommendations issued since 1970 as a result of fishing vessel accidents. The NTSB’s safety study addressed licensing requirements for masters and crewmembers, minimum standards for vessel stability, requirements for basic safety equipment, alcohol and drug use in commercial fishing vessel operations, and oversight of fishing vessel safety.
In this forum safety issues in the commercial fishing industry- from both industry and government perspectives – are to be identified. It will also identify strategies for preventing accidents and reducing the industry’s high rate of injuries and fatalities. Panellists participating in the forum will include representatives of the commercial fishing industry, safety equipment manufacturers, marine safety trainers, classification societies, marine surveyors, and federal agencies involved with the industry.
