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Stability, emergency signaling and other lifesaving equipment

Many factors contribute to accidents on the water. Compliance with safety requirements, in particular vessel stability and life-saving equipment, can significantly help reduce fishing accidents and fatalities.

Vessel stability

In 2018, Transport Canada (TC) issued new vessel stability guidelines to help fishing vessel owners and operators maintain vessel stability and avoid swamping or capsizing of their fishing vessel. The guidelines include a checklist and supporting information for each checklist item. The use of these voluntary guidelines is intended to help vessel owners and operators better understand stability and how to assess whether the stability of their vessel is adequate.

Emergency radio beacons and other communication equipment

Fishing vessels that make voyages more than 20 nautical miles from shore, and are carrying passengers or are 8 meters long or more must be equipped with an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry. You can register or update your beacon registration with the Canadian Beacon Registry online at any time.

Accurate beacon registration allows search and rescue personnel to quickly identify if a distress situation exists and prevents search and rescue units from being deployed on false alerts. Keeping your EPIRB information up to date is very important. If you have moved, have new emergency contact information or have changed important information regarding your vessel, make sure to update the EPIRB registration for your fishing vessel. 

Communication is invaluable in emergency situations. Vessel owners and masters are reminded to ensure that EPIRB and other communication equipment requirements and best practices for their fishing vessels are met.

Other lifesaving equipment

A life ring buoy is one example of a life-saving appliance.

A life ring buoy is one example of a life-saving appliance.

Making sure that fishing vessels have the required safety equipment can save lives. This includes ensuring that the equipment can be easily and readily accessed, is in good working order and used properly. In particular, the use of personal flotation devices (PFD) can significantly reduce the risk of fatality and the high percentage of deaths currently associated with falling overboard.

Accidents can happen. Be ready for emergencies and prepare for the unexpected. Vessel owners and operators need to ensure that fishing vessels are properly equipped with the five types of required safety equipment, and that crew members know how and when to use them.

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