According to researcher Paul Anderson the fishermen seem excited about the PFD survey because they would get to keep this gear after the study. It is free gear idea that has been appealing to a lot of them. Anderson also said that as the fishermen go through gear probably in a season because they’re going to use it hard and they’re going to test it.
Anderson and Jennifer Lincoln, the deputy director the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, are inviting fishermen to test the PFDs for a month and write evaluations of them. These information will be use to write a consumer report type manual to help fishermen pick the best gear for their jobs. Anderson explained that the research also includes an attitude survey that asks what fishermen think about wearing PFDs and the different available types.
Anderson found that one fisherman exclaimed to be wearing a PFD most of the time primarily because it provides him some cushioning when working the rail and baiting pots. It is told that some crabbers have already agreed to purchase the new gear for thie crew after participating in the survey.
