News release from Coast Guard 13th District External Affairs office in Seattle:
SEATTLE — Coast Guard crews operating in Rosario Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca terminated the voyages of two commercial fishing vessels for safety gear concerns.
Both vessels were safely escorted to port and will remain in port until commercial fishing vessel examiners from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle verify safety deficiencies have been corrected.
The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Wahoo terminated the voyage of the fishing vessel Daybreak in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Thursday.
Law enforcement officers [aboard the Wahoo] observed a lack of life raft, visual distress signals or emergency position indicating radio beacon aboard. There was also an insufficient number of immersion suits aboard. Wahoo’s crew escorted the vessel to Neah Bay.
The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Blue Shark terminated the voyage of a state-registered fishing vessel near Anacortes on Wednesday morning.
During the course of a boarding, law enforcement officers observed no sound producing device, insufficient life jackets and a lack of current fishing vessel inspection. The vessel [which was not identified] was escorted to Anacortes.
“It’s imperative for mariners to have crucial safety equipment on board,” said Dan Hardin, 13th Coast Guard District commercial fishing vessel safety coordinator. “The chances of survival are immediately lessened when this vital gear is either not on board or inoperable.”
Passing a Coast Guard fishing vessel examination is mandatory beginning Oct. 15.
Any vessel operating more than three miles offshore must also display a commercial fishing vessel safety decal indicating the vessel passed examination.
Commercial fishing vessel operators can ensure they have all the required safety equipment for their vessel by requesting a courtesy dockside exam from the Coast Guard by calling 206-220-7226.
Wahoo and Blue Shark are 87-foot patrol boats. The Wahoo is homeported in Port Angeles; Blue Shark is based in Everett.
