How East Coast Commercial Fishing Fatalities May Be Prevented This Decade

A study of East Coast commercial fishing deaths in the decade between 2000 and 2009 found that vessel disasters were the most common reason for commercial fishing fatalities. This information is important to have not only for the families grieving the loss of their loved ones, but also to use in order to prevent other families from having to grieve similar losses in the future.

How Vessel Disasters May Be Prevented

The most common causes of fatal vessel disasters are vessel instability and flooding. Maritime employers can use this information to prevent future deaths by:

• Training fishermen on how to survive - If fishermen know the risks, then they can be trained on what to do at the first signs of vessel instability or flooding - saving lives.
• Providing fishermen with the equipment required to survive - In addition to training fishermen, appropriate life saving equipment such as personal flotation devices and life boats could help prevent fatalities.
• Using the information to improve designs and safety features to prevent future accidents - The best way to prevent future fatalities is to prevent vessel instability and flooding from occurring in the first place. Knowledge of the most common causes of vessel disasters may help guide future research and development.

Contact a New York Jones Act Attorney After a Fatal Vessel Disaster

If you have lost a loved one in an East Coast commercial fishing accident, then you may have the right to recover damages for your loss. Please contact an experienced New York Jones Act lawyer today at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY to learn more.

Read more about East Coast Commercial Fishing Fatalities in Our Free Article: A Decade of East Coast Commercial Fishing Fatalities.