ON DECK
Consequences
Rain check By Mike Conroy and Bob Dooley
t can happen in any port: Fishing boats geared up end up sitting at the dock waiting for the start of the season, whether it’s been called or not. In January, many vessels participating in the West Coast commercial Dungeness crab fishery were tied to the dock while the fleet negotiated a price. Many of these vessels had their gear onboard for an extended period of time, since the fishery was slated to open in mid-December after a delay for whale migration. They then held back when domoic acid reared its ugly head along part of the coast and a price negotiation, further postponing the fishery well into January
I
in the northern part of Oregon and most of Washington. In other years, the fleet has been called to stand down while crab meat fill achieves a market standard. Unfortunately, even when a boat is sitting at the dock a valve can fail, a pump can quit operating, or the EPIRB may stop operating. We offer these checklists to jump start a thorough self-inspection of your vessel, your safety equipment and your crew’s readiness as you prepare to embark on upcoming trips, especially after any kind of extended delay. Vessel • Bilge pumps, pumps for fish holds and especially for those vessels with live wells; • All of your alarm systems; • Deck or engine room cameras; • PA/intercom/other communication systems between the deck and wheelhouse; and
• Lights — running, deck, safety, etc. • Verify the date of your last Coast Guard safety inspection to ensure the sticker hasn’t expired. • If you can access below-deck compartments: - Make sure you haven’t accumulated water in any voids. - All shafts and bearings are greased. - Check hoses for abrasions or cracks, and ensure hose clamps are secure. • Confirm that all gear is properly secured. Even the slightest easing of tension in your stack can have dire consequences. • Check fittings, connectors, etc. Safety equipment • All lifesaving equipment is where it should be and isn’t expired. • Raft is installed properly, EPIRB tested. • All flashlights are working and have extra batteries.
DURAMAX MARINE TECHNOLOGY ®
Engineered To Work As Hard As You Do. DryMax® Maintenance Free Shaft Seal System
The Original Johnson® Cutless® Sleeve and Flange Bearings
DuraBlue® Composite Rudder Bushings, Thrust Washers & Wear Plates
Custom Engineered Heat Exchange Systems
Duramax Marine® is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company
Quality Products Made in America 8 National Fisherman \ March 2021
www.DuramaxMarine.com www.nationalfisherman.com
