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WCB assist fishermen to recognize the importance of vessel stability
Supporting documents
Richmond, B.C., March 2, 2004 — After consultation with the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union, the B.C. Seafood Alliance, government marine agencies and independent fishermen, the Workers' Compensation Board today distributed a new fishing vessel stability poster. The poster will assist fishing vessel operators to know what occurs when a vessel's center of gravity is changed by modification or a weight change resulting from gear relocation or differing loads.
Between 1975 and 2002, 152 fishing vessels capsized in B.C. waters with the loss of 61 lives, making fishing one of the most hazardous occupations in the province.1
Modifying a vessel without appropriate stability testing is a major cause of capsizing. While individual small changes may not affect stability, the cumulative effect of a number of changes can be as significant as a major modification to how the vessel will react. No major modification should be completed without a qualified naval architect doing calculations to determine the effect to vessel stability.
Veteran fisherman Joe Bauer of the B.C. Council of Professional Fish Harvesters said, "We need to increase industry awareness about vessel stability. This poster helps me understand what would happen if I added gear on my deck that had not been included in the original design of my boat."
"Too many lives have been lost because vessel stability was not checked after a modification or a change in the type or location of heavy gear," said Betty Pirs, WCB Director of Industry Services. "This poster graphically reminds us of what needs to be done and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of vessel instability."
Copies of the vessel stability poster will be distributed to over 3,300
licensed vessel owners through a partnership with the B.C. Seafood Alliance
and online through the WCB's web site, www.WorkSafebc.com.
Serving nearly two million workers and more than 172,000 employers, the
Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. is a provincial statutory agency governed
by a Board of Directors. The WCB is committed to a safe and health workplace,
to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation
benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment, and to being
responsible, accountable and financially sustainable.
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For more information please contact: |
| Gladys Johnsen Public Affairs Manager Prevention Division, WCB 604 214-5441 or toll-free in B.C. at 1 888 621-7233, local 5441 or cell 604 908-0876 |
A fax copy of the poster and background material is available by calling Sharleen Gairdner at 604 232-5823 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free in B.C. at 1 888 621-7233.
1. Source: Transportation Safety Board