How important is having the proper safety gear? The Coast Guard sending a commercial fishing boat back to port for safety violations emphasizes the need for all boaters to have proper equipment. Make sure that you have at least the minimum required safety setup before a voyage. Here is news from the Coast Guard's website of recent crackdowns on vessels:
From the press release: BOSTON — The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a fishing vessel approximately two miles from Port Corea, Maine, Monday, when a boarding team discovered multiple safety violations.
A Coast Guard Cutter Moray boarding team conducted a routine at-sea boarding of the fishing vessel Corea, Maine-based, 38-foot fishing vessel Calypso, and found several safety violations.
There were no personal flotation devices, no visual distress signals and no life rings aboard, which are all required by law.
The Coast Guard terminated the crew’s voyage at approximately 12:30 p.m., and escorted them to Port Corea.
“It’s important that the commercial fishing fleet pay special attention to the safety devices on board,” said Lt. Adam Schmid, the command duty officer at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston. “Lifejackets can keep you alive in an emergency, they give you time so the Coast Guard can find you.”
The Moray is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Jonesport, Maine.
