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Fishing Vessel Safety Blueprint for a National Program (1991) / Chapter Skim
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H. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ON A LONGLINE VESSEL
Pages 243-250

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From page 243...
... A tremendous increase in both the number of vessels operating in this fishery, and the efficiency of those vessels, has forced the management authority, the International Pacific Halibut Commission, to drastically reduce the length of the fishing season. It wasn't too many years ago when commercial halibut fishermen in area 3A (Gulf of Alaska)
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From page 244...
... I should indicate at this point that while there are dangers involved in any fishery, it is my opinion that the longline fisheries for halibut and sablefish pose fewer personal injury risks than do other fisheries in which I've been involved. In the 8 years I've participated in the longline fishery, we've never had a major accident.
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From page 245...
... When setting groundline with baited hooks permanently attached, a "setting chute" is used. The tub from which the groundline is being
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From page 246...
... The crew responsibilities during the retrieval process are as follows: one experienced man (generally the captain or alternate captain) gaffing the fish as they come aboard he also runs the vessel using throttle and steering controls mounted next to his gaffing station (yes, that means that there is no one in the wheelhouse when we are running gear)
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From page 247...
... This is certainly a potentially dangerous activity which could result in a severe puncture wound to one of the crew if a gaff hook slipped out of the fish. There's also a chance that someone might fall overboard during this endeavor, since it involves leaning over the bulwarks to get your gaff hook into a wildly thrashing, 200- to 300-pound fish.
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From page 248...
... We also installed an inclined ramp that extends from the cut-out bulwarks upwards to the cleaning table so that after the hooked fish comes aboard, but before it's unhooked, it's pulled up the ramp and onto the cleaning table by the hydraulic line hauler. During times of heavy fishing the cleaning crew simply can't keep up, so the cleaning table becomes filled with fish waiting to be dressed, and uncleaned fish end up on the deck where they must be physically lifted onto the table.
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From page 249...
... SABLEFISH The sablefish longline fishery has not been as tightly regulated in recent years as has the halibut fishery. Season openings continue to be long enough in most areas that vessels fish repeated trips of several days' duration instead of the periodic 1-day trips common to the halibut fishery.
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From page 250...
... As in the halibut fishery, minor knife cuts, gaff hook, and hook punctures are the most common personal injuries that occur.
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Key Terms

  • cleaning table
  • halibut fishery
  • sea conditions
  • line hauler
  • rough weather

  • potentially dangerous
  • gaff hook
  • inexperienced crew
  • fish hold
  • alternate captain

  • baited hooks
  • gear storage
  • uncleaned fish
  • retrieval process
  • personal injuries

  • permanently attached
  • vessels fish
  • entering port
  • fishing operation
  • vessels operating

  • knife cuts
  • fishing season
  • process continues
  • dressing fish
  • empty tubs

  • minor knife
  • line conditions
  • hauler coiling
  • deck carrying
  • unused bait


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