COMDTINST 16711.13B
4.
BACKGROUND. Pursuant to the passage of the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety
Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-424), the Coast Guard published regulations in Title 46 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 28 detailing equipment, design and operational requirements for
commercial fishing industry vessels, including fishing, fish processing and fish tender vessels.
This revision incorporates lessons learned and recommendations received from the field since
the inception of the program.
5.
DISCUSSION. This plan focuses on education, public awareness, voluntary dockside
examinations of vessels, required biennial examination of fish processing, and Aleutian Trade
Act vessels and at-sea boardings, as the means to achieve industry safety improvements. It
describes the use of resources from all operating programs in Headquarters, on the Area and
District staffs and at the operating units. It revises boarding, voluntary dockside examination,
and Marine Safety Information System (MSIS) data entry policies.
a.
There are approximately 121,000 commercial fishing industry vessels nationwide, ranging
from small vessels to large sophisticated factory trawlers. These vessels include all those
that commercially engage in the catching, taking, or havesting of fish, and then sell their
catch. It also includes fish tender vessels and fishing processing vessels. It does not
include sport fishing vessels, recreational vessels, charter boats carrying passengers for
hire, or inspected passenger vessels (head boats) engaged solely in sport fishing. The
definition also does not include vessels which are required to be registered as
"commercial" by states simply because they use certain types of gear, i.e., traps, pots, and
gill nets, or because they catch a particular species.
b.
The comprehensive safety regulations found 46 CFR Part 28 have significant safety
equipment carriage requirements designed to make the industry safer. The Coast Guard,
working cooperatively with the commercial fishing industry and the safety training
industry, is striving to improve the industry's safety record. Voluntary dockside
examinations, education and awareness programs, and safety equipment checks in
conjunction with boardings, are currently having a positive effect. These initiatives will
continue.
c.
The intent of these regulations is to reduce commercial fishing vessel fatalities and losses.
In order for any regulations to have a meaningful impact, they must be comprehended by
the industry affected. This implementation plan couples education with credible
enforcement at sea. Voluntary dockside examinations of commercial fishing industry
vessels can assist operators in understanding the regulations. These examinations are
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