With lobster fishing areas (LFAs) 33 and 34’s winter fishing seasons set to begin in late November, Southwest Nova Scotia will see a lot of harvesters out on the water.
As another season looms large, it is important that fish harvesters take every possible step to ensure that a day out on the water isn’t their last. Fishing is Canada’s deadliest industry, with 69.8 deaths per 100,000 workers reported between 2011–2015. While accidents, of course, do happen, taking the time to ensure you, your crewmates and your vessel are up to date on safety could ensure you don’t become part of this statistic.
A crucial piece of the safety puzzle is a simple personal flotation device (PFD). While one PFD is required for each crewmember aboard a given vessel, forced compliance stops there. However, during an emergency tumble into the icy waters of the North Atlantic, what good does a PFD in a closet really do? It may be less comfortable than forgoing them altogether, but keeping a PFD on your person when on deck could be the best decision you ever made if you find yourself in trouble.
Then there is emergency preparedness and the very human tendency to become complacent. It’s easy to assume that if a fire breaks out aboard your boat, you will know what to do. It’s easy to assume that you could easily navigate a man overboard situation. But when is the last time you and your crew have done a safety drill?
You may be surprised that you forgot a number of standard fire drills steps, or you may hesitate more than you thought you would during a man overboard drill. Practicing these skills cannot hurt and only serve to make you sharper and more prepared. Fish Safe Nova Scotia recommends that emergency drills be practiced monthly, at the very least.
“These drills need to become something you know inside out, upside down, and backward,” said a blog post by Fish Safe NS. “Get all of these drills into your memory banks in case the day comes when you need to perform a real-life medical call on your fellow crew member or rescue a fellow crew member who fell overboard.”
Speaking of fire preparedness, now is as good a time as any to inspect all your fire equipment. Take the time to check your fire extinguishers. The indicators should be in the green, the safety pull pin should be in place, any signs of leakage or damage should be serviced immediately and the extinguishers should be easily accessible. Fire hoses, likewise, should be damage-free and easily accessible. All smoke detectors should also be tested to ensure they can be heard throughout the vessel, and all the batteries should be replaced.
Once you’re ready to set sail, a pre-departure checklist is in order. Check the weather forecast and plan around it. Verify you have enough fuel to make your voyage, including a reserve in case you run into trouble, and check other fluid levels while you’re at it. Confirm your bilge pump works, and your drain plugs are securely in place. Make sure your first aid kit is properly stocked and stored where it should be.
Finally, ensure all your communication equipment is operational. In case all else fails and you or your crew members are in danger, the ability to reach out to emergency services is the final line of defense between coming home safe or becoming a statistic.
