RICHMOND, B.C. – The Transportation Safety Board wants all commercial fishing vessels, both large and small, to have their stability assessed after investigating a deadly capsizing off British Columbia last year.
Three men died and one survived when their commercial fishing trawler capsized near Tofino off the west coast of Vancouver Island shortly after the crew brought in what was to be its final haul of hake on Sept. 5, 2015.
Safety board chairwoman Kathy Fox says the board has seen similar circumstances far too often and on average 10 fishermen a year died in Canada’s commercial fishing industry.
READ MORE: Commercial fisherman remembers 3 colleagues who died when their boat capsized
She says they are asking that all commercial fishing vessels have stability assessments appropriate for their size and operation and that the assessment is kept current.
The board’s investigation determined that the Caledonian overturned as its stability was reduced because of the way fuel and fish were stored on board, changing its operation limits.
The safety board made four other recommendations, including that all crews on fishing vessels be required to wear personal flotation devices at all times while on deck.
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