marine board report - Off Soundings

46 CFR 28.270(f) provides the minimum requirements for safety orientations. We are currently
working on a regulatory project that will propose requirements for the documentation of training
and drills.
Recommendation 20: The Coast Guard and SNAME should develop regional stability and
damage control workshops with a focus on fishing vessels operating within their specific region.
The workshops should be a regularly scheduled event to coincide with national events such as
COMFISH Expo. The agenda for these events at a minimum should include: stability, damage
control, and training requirements. The lessons/demonstrations should employ casualty data to
reinforce the lessons.
Action: We concur with this recommendation. We will coordinate with the Society of Naval
Architects and Marine Engineers and the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory
Committee on the selection and implementation of appropriate program options.
Recommendation 21: The Coast Guard, FCC, INMARSAT-C system manufacturers and other
safety organizations should develop training for the proper use of fisheries models INMARSAT-
C systems. This training should be scheduled as workshops and incorporated as an element of
national events such as COMFISH Expo.
Action: We concur with this recommendation. For Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) installations to be useful, the users must be sufficiently trained and able to use them
competently and efficiently. Working with the commercial fishing industry and the
communication industry, we will seek to develop a program to provide the recommended
training.
Recommendation 22: The Coast Guard and NMFS should develop a MOU to facilitate the
exchange of safety information obtained from observers serving aboard fishing vessels.
Action: We concur with the intent of this recommendation. We agree that the exchange of
safety information obtained from observers would be extremely valuable in our efforts to
improve the safety of fishing vessels; however, the development of a new memorandum of
understanding (MOU) may not be necessary. As we continue discussions with the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on this issue, we will consider the possibility of expanding the
existing MOU between the U.S. Coast Guard and NMFS, developing a new MOU as
recommended, or other means to facilitate the information exchange.
Recommendation 23: The Coast Guard in D17 should develop a similar MOU (as mentioned
above) with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to facilitate the exchange of safety
information obtained from observers serving aboard fishing vessels.
Action: We concur with the intent of this recommendation. We will forward this
recommendation to the Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, for appropriate action.
Recommendation 24: The D17 staff needs to expand its efforts to promote the “Ready For Sea”
program to all U.S. Coast Guard cutters operating in its AOR.
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