Rep. Elijah E. Cummings Holds a Hearing On Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON COAST GUARD AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION HOLDS A HEARING ON COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL SAFETY

APRIL 25, 2007

SPEAKERS: REP. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, D-MD. CHAIRMAN REP. GENE TAYLOR, D-MISS. REP. RICK LARSEN, D-WASH. REP. CORRINE BROWN, D-FLA. REP. BRIAN HIGGINS, D-N.Y. REP. BRIAN BAIRD, D-WASH. REP. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP, D-N.Y. REP. JAMES L. OBERSTAR, D-MINN. EX OFFICIO

REP. STEVEN C. LATOURETTE, R-OHIO RANKING MEMBER REP. DON YOUNG, R-ALASKA REP. HOWARD COBLE, R-N.C. REP. WAYNE T. GILCHREST, R-MD. REP. FRANK A. LOBIONDO, R-N.J. REP. TED POE, R-TEXAS REP. JOHN MICA, R-FLA. EX OFFICIO

WITNESSES: REP. BARNEY FRANK, D-MASS.

REAR ADMIRAL CRAIG BONE (USCG), ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD FOR PREVENTION

DR. JENNIFER LINCOLN, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

JERRY DZUGAN, CHAIRMAN, COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSEL SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ANN BACKUS, DIRECTOR, OUTREACH, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

ROBERT BAINES, CHAIRMAN, MAINE COMMERCIAL FISHING SAFETY COUNCIL

LESLIE HUGHES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTH PACIFIC FISHING OWNERS ASSOCIATION

CAPTAIN BLAINE COLLINS, VICE PRESIDENT AND REGIONAL MANAGER, N/S AMERICA FOR DET NORSKE VERITAS

DEB SHRADER, SHORE SUPPORT, INC.

[*] CUMMINGS: Today the subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation convenes a hearing to examine fishing vessel safety in the United States.

Commercial fishing is, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most hazardous occupation in the country, so it is important that the subcommittee examine the role the federal government should play in enhancing safety for those who spend their lives at sea harvesting fish and seafood for both the American and world markets.

Tragically, fatal injuries among fishermen and women increased 50 percent during the period from 2002 to 2005, while fatal injuries among all U.S. workers increased by only 3 percent during that same period. The fatal occupational injury rate was 140 fatalities per 100,000 fishers, more than 28 times the average rate for all industries.

Further, according to a recent Coast Guard analysis, an average of 127 fishing boats were lost and 58 fishers were killed each year during the period of 1994 to 2004.

Fishermen and women have been an important part of the American economy since the first settlers landed on the shores of Virginia and Massachusetts, and commercial fishing still sustains thousands of families and contributes billions of dollars to our economy. But when commercial fishing turns deadly -- and tragically, it often does -- families are torn apart by loss of husbands, wives, sons and daughters. Six years ago 15 families experienced such terrible losses when the fishing vessel Arctic Rose sank in the Bering Sea in what was the worst fishing vessel casualty since 1951.

For years Congress required that fishing vessels be equipped with life jackets, but little else, which is a bit like asking airline passengers to make sure to pack their parachutes before boarding, but not requiring seatbelts or emergency exits or fire suppression systems on the planes.

In 1988 Congress passed the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act, which required that commercial fishing vessels carry more modern lifesaving equipment. Today, however, there are still no design, construction, maintenance or operating standards for commercial fishing vessels.

Therefore, we will hear the testimony of witnesses who will share with us their experiences under the existing statutes and, most importantly, help point us in the directions that can prevent casualties from occurring on fishing vessels or that will enable crews on fishing vessels to respond quickly and appropriately to on-board emergencies and maximize lives saved in the event an accident does occur.

It is my hope that the subcommittee will gain a greater appreciation of this most hazardous occupation and will identify specific actions that can be taken to protect the lives of those who make a living from the sea.

I also want to thank Congressman Barney Frank for his leadership on this issue that is of critical concern to his district. Congressman Frank will join us shortly after convening a hearing in t...

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