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Coast Guard terminates 2 voyages for safety in northern Washington

April 2, 2015

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 in the past 36 hours.

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, Thursday. Law enforcement officers 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 safely 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, Washington, 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 was safely 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 homeported in Port Angeles and Everett, respectively.

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