Marine safety checklist for offshore fishermen
 

I am reading thru a 128 page "brochure" that some Alaskan fishermen put out in 2008 that condenses the safety regs to 128 pages. I am looking to refit my boat safety wise to conform to 50+ miles offshore and cold water safety regs as set for commercial fishing. Is there a check list of sorts that basically outlines what exactly is needed? I think I know the key stuff and I think I have most of what is needed (life rafts/epirbs/type 1pfd's etc...) but it would be nice to see a few pages that outline want guys that fish offshore really should have.

Sandman, throw in survival suits and a ditchbag loaded with signaling devices with your EPIRB, raft and Type 1 PFD's and you're in fine shape. I am always amazed at the number of boats running waaay offshore without an EPIRB, if there was only one item I would take, that would be it.

Good luck with the new boat!

I am probably overkill now but I never go in any boat without an epirb anymore...I grab my own personal epirb and pfd along with my R&R when I go on someone else boat now, even if we are 7 miles off at the hooter, you never know what could happen. The last place I want to be is in the water and no one besides me knows it. They are fairly cheap now.
The hair on my neck stands up when I think about what I did on a boat when I was a kid...:eek:

Actually, now that I read thru that document, it is pretty good. I just need to make sure I have the right SOLAS stuff and some other minor things. They could condense it to a checklist form with the doc (which is basically the CFR) as a reference.I am also going to invest in a satellite phone for the boat.

Hi Jim,

Satellite phone was the one I was gonna mention. God forbid there is a serious injury or illness off shore that needs a med flight.

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun readying your new rig. I always said that most of the fun of Christmas was preparing for it, buying presents, decorating ,etc. Your first trip out will be your Christmas morning. Please keep us in the loop on the progress.

Merry Christmas!
Keith

All of the SOLAS stuff should be included in the (required) SOLAS raft, except for the shipboard (as opposed to raft board) flares. Hamilton Marine sells a pretty good SOLAS flare kit that conforms to the 30+ mile commercial regs. BTW- The EPIRB is supposed to be a Cat I type. Mine is Cat I with a built in GPS.

Throw away the crappy Orion flares and pick up a full set of Pains-Wessex.

You'll wonder how Orion even stays in business after you see PW's go off.

USCG Vessel Safety Contact in Boston is @ 617-223-8315

What am I, chop liver?

Jim, email sent.

:devil2:

You came to mind, really you did...I am just not ready for someone of your caliber to board me just yet (too much is wrong that I know about) but I should be this summer. I will be in touch! UdaMan ! :uhuh: