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COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL SAFETY PROGRAM
Saving lives is a daily routine!
Auxiliarist Darryl Laxson inspecting a GPS mounting for corrosion
An Auxiliarist who participates in on-the-water patrols
gets to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. A public education instructor is usually confronted
with a class of eager students. Why would an Auxiliarist intentionally climb down into
smelly fish holds on a regular basis? Darryl Laxson answered, "I find the Auxiliary
Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety (CFVS) program the most personally satisfying."
You see, Auxiliarist Laxson, of Flotilla 10-20, D1SR,
Wayne, NJ is one of only 140 CFV examiners. This corps of dedicated Auxiliarists, across
the country, work hand-in-hand with a group of 65 active duty Coast Guard CFV examiners.
These folks "work" daily on some of the nation's busiest commercial fishing
docks. They examine boats large and small and, as a matter of course, exchange potentially
life saving information with men and women who look like they just stepped out of a TV
fish stick commercial.
Auxiliarist Laxson was recently cited for 102 exams performed in 2000.
When asked how many vessels he could examine in an average day, he replied, "That's a
hard question to answer. Some days none, some days one or two. On a large vessel the exam
may take up to four hours, while on a smaller vessel, such as a clam boat, the exam can be
completed in an hour or less."
Inspecting an emergency raft for contents and condition.
The Auxiliary CFVS program was created in 1992 to answer the call for
assistance from the Coast Guard. The Auxiliary became part of the plan to carry out the
regulations resulting from the Fishing Vessel Safety Act of 1988. As a result, specially
trained Auxiliarists conduct voluntary dockside examinations.
Michael M. True, Division Chief, CFV, (DVC-MV) provided some startling
statistics. True said, "A fisherman is in more danger, 17 times more danger, than a
policeman or fireman." Mike's current effort is to increase the current number of
Auxiliary examiners by at least 25.
He added, "A recent UN study indicated 70 fisherman loose their
lives per day. Worldwide, that's 24,000 a year. In addition, there are over 100,000
vessels in the US and only 7% are examined. The need for more examiners is obvious."
In reply to the same question posed to Auxiliarist Laxson, True's response was similar,
"It is a program that make's me feel good. I feel I accomplish a great task when I
make a fisherman's life a bit safer."
Checking an Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
mounting and providing an
equipment test
A special training program is offered, locally at CG
Marine Safety Offices (MSO) and nationally, on a regular basis, at CG Training Center,
Petaluma, CA.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this program keep in mind
some of the rigors of this activity. Climbing up and down ladders, in close, dark areas is
not the norm, but also, not unusual. If you feel you have the right "stuff",
consider becoming a Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner. Contact Mike True at AUXDVCMS@aol.com or call your
closest MSO for more information.
Getting "down to business" checking a fish hold for condition, loose gear,
etc.
Auxiliarist Laxon does enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. His
Auxiliary credentials include AUXOP, coxswain, instructor, recreational vessel safety
check, and certified Aids to Navigation verifier. He currently is the Flotilla Commander,
10-20, D1SR.
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Site designed by: Larry West,
FSO-CS
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Should this policy change for any reason, the change will be noted in this space.
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