On March 21, 2008 the Bush Administration approved an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) as part of a regulatory effort to develop amendments to United States Coast Guard commercial fishing industry vessel regulations. The ANPRM will be published in the Federal Register. The ANPRM announces the Coast Guard's intention to solicit feedback from the commercial fishing industry prior to developing additional regulations.

The United States Coast Guard has identified several areas that repeatedly lead to commercial fishing as being the country's most hazardous occupation. Stability and watertight integrity issues continue to account for the majority of vessel losses. Most casualties are related to crew members entering the water. Maintenance of vessels has also been identified as a significant issue leading to vessel losses. While there have been improvements in safety within the industry since the commercial fishing vessel safety regulations were published in 1991, casualty rates remain unacceptably high. Crew safety training and drills have been advocated by the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee and the Coast Guard supports an expansion of current requirements.

The proposed changes would enhance maritime safety by adding new requirements for vessel stability and watertight integrity, stability training and assessments, vessel maintenance and self-examinations, immersion suits, crew preparedness, safety training, emergency preparation, safety and training personnel, safety equipment, and documentation. Miscellaneous conforming, clarifying, and other administrative changes are also contemplated. Comments and related material must reach the Docket Management Facility on or before July 29, 2008.

More information: 

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6477.htm

http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html