According to the Coast Guard more commercial fishing boats should be subject to regulations intended to prevent them from capsizing and sinking. A Coast Guard spokesman told that the recommendation was part of a report on the investigation into the sinking of the Costa & Corvo, which caused the death of Captain Antonio Mesquita of New Bedford on Nov. 13., 2008.
It is said that stability requirements for commercial fishing boats should be applied to boats 50 feet or greater in length. Currently, the requirements only apply to boats 79 feet long or longer. The Costa & Corvo, which investigators determined had capsized, was only 71 feet long. Commander Patrick McElligatt said that the larger boats subject to the regulations must be inspected by a marine architect, who will issue a stability letter certifying the boat is stable and has the necessary structure to avoid capsizing.
He added that such recommendations have been made before and the Coast Guard is currently reviewing feedback from the fishing industry on the proposed change. He also said that they are hoping this will add another level of safety to the fishing industry.
