Meeting examines accident factors for fishing vessels

Area fishermen, Captain Robert Peacock and U.S. Coast Guard representatives met on February 8 to discuss the fishing-related accidents and fatalities that have occurred in or near Cobscook and Passamaquoddy bays over the last few years. The meeting aimed to identify possible ways to reduce accident risks, with the primary focus on vessel-related tactics.

The events involving the 2006 sinking of the Braiden G. off The Wolves, the 2009 sinkings of the All American and the Bottom Basher and the 2010 sinking of the Miss Priss, all in the Reversing Falls area of Cobscook Bay, were presented by Peacock. An eight-item list summarized possible causes for the accidents: lack of vessel stability; towing with the current in high, very heavy current areas; medical conditions; economic pressures; fishing alone; poor chart presentations based on very old surveys; navigational issues; and need for greater awareness concerning stability.

Peacock presented a list of recommendations, which he qualified as being based on his own opinions. Turning to the fishermen, he asked for their input. His two-item list included the need for another survey of the entire Reversing Falls area and the production of a much larger chart for fishing. The map area B5 of Cobscook Bay was surveyed in 1834 and 1899, with only partial bottom coverage. "Why are we working on charts that were last surveyed in 1899?" he asked the group. The second item was to close the area around Falls Island to all fishing unless the following restrictions were applied: all vessels fishing in the area must have a "buddy" fishing vessel within sight; all personnel fishing in the zoned area must wear personal flotation devices; and dragging in the zone must not be done from a high block on the A-frame.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Eastport Chief Petty Officer James Malcolm noted, "People are working their tails off; people are out there and they are fatigued. The harder you make it to fish, the more that's going to lead to fatigue and accidents. Accidents happened at the last hauls of the day." Peacock added fatigue to his list of possible causes.

In a summary of Coast Guard search and rescue capabilities, Malcolm told the group that a new 45' medium response vessel is slated for the Eastport station, but the delivery timeframe is unknown. The new boat will have faster response capabilities. He also demonstrated a database that shows the difference in the ability of a person to survive in the bay with and without a personal flotation device. In 32 degrees, a cold weather suit would allow a person to have a window of 19 hours of survivability and 13.8 hours of functionality. Without the suit, a person would have a window of about 7.4 hours of survivability and 4.5 of functionality.

Fishermen Austin Humphries of Perry, Tom Pottle of Perry and Scott Emery of Eastport attended the meeting. After Peacock's presentation, Emery and Pottle noted that drug and alcohol abuse are issues the area's fishing community faces. While neither suggested that this was a contributing factor to any of the accidents that have occurred, they both said that substance abuse is an issue that is in the area but that is also all across the county. Emery said, "It's time it was dealt with." Pottle added, "It needs to be looked at."

The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program of Sector Northern New England, U.S. Coast Guard, was represented by Kevin Plowman of South Portland and Garry Mooers of Lubec. The two men work with local commercial fishermen to ensure that their vessels are in compliance with all applicable commercial fishing safety regulations. "The goal is to have every commercial fisherman return home at the end of the day," said Plowman. Methods used include a no-cost safety examination with "no strings attached," training and education and fine mitigation. He also recommended that fishermen consider a dockside examination.

Plowman noted that new inflatable vests cost between $150 and $200. "They only take about 15 minutes to get used to wearing," he said. Peacock elaborated on the benefits of the new style of vest, including its ability to add buoyancy and lift above the waterline to the wearer. He noted that he too has found them comfortable to wear while piloting.