NTSB -- NTSB TO HOLD FISHING VESSEL SAFETY FORUM IN OCTOBER

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2010

SB-10-32

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NTSB TO HOLD FISHING VESSEL SAFETY FORUM IN OCTOBER

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The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a forum

on fishing vessel safety beginning Wednesday, October 13,

2010 at 9:00 am. The two-day forum will be chaired by NTSB

Board Member Robert Sumwalt.

"In 2009, commercial fishing had the highest fatal work

injury rate of all occupations in the United States," said

Member Sumwalt. "Creating a safer environment and

eliminating hazardous conditions on the high seas is one of

the goals of the NTSB. The forum will provide a great

opportunity to identify strategies to improve safety."

The NTSB has addressed safety in the commercial fishing

industry through a safety study, issued in 1987, and in more

than 150 safety recommendations issued since 1970 as a

result of fishing vessel accidents. The NTSB's safety study

addressed licensing requirements for masters and

crewmembers, minimum standards for vessel stability,

requirements for basic safety equipment, alcohol and drug

use in commercial fishing vessel operations, and oversight

of fishing vessel safety.

The forum is intended to identify safety issues in the

commercial fishing industry - from both industry and

government perspectives - and to identify strategies for

preventing accidents and reducing the industry's high rate

of injuries and fatalities.

The panel topics will include:

* Problem identification and progress made

in fishing vessel safety;

* Vessel related issues impacting safety;

* Fisheries management practices and impacts

on safety;

* Lifesaving equipment;

* Training of crew members; and

* Perspective of fishermen on safety.

Panelists participating in the forum will include

representatives of the commercial fishing industry, safety

equipment manufacturers, marine safety trainers,

classification societies, marine surveyors, and federal

agencies involved with the industry.

"I'm very much looking forward to hearing from the

panelists," said Member Sumwalt. "This forum will not only

be informative and engaging, but will also advance safety

for those in the commercial fishing industry."

Organizations and/or individuals can submit input for

consideration as part of the forum's archived materials.

Submissions should directly address one or more of the

forum's six topic areas (identified by the panel titles) and

should be submitted electronically as an attached document

not to exceed 10 pages to: fishingforum@xxxxxxxx. The

deadline for receipt is October 1, 2010. Input received will

be entered into the Safety Board's public docket on this

forum.

The public can view the forum in person or by live webcast

on the NTSB's web site. An agenda and webcast details will

be posted on the Board's website when available at

http://www.ntsb.gov/events/forum_fishing_vessel_safety/forum

_fishingvessel_safety.htm.

The forum will be held at the NTSB's Board Room and

Conference Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.,

Washington, D.C.

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NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway, (202) 314-6100

hollowk@xxxxxxxx

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