Pre-Deployment Safety Checklist

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PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: The information provided on this form will be used by the National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that observers can be
deployed effectively, efficiently, and safely on fishing vessels in order to collect information that is used in analyses that support the conservation and management of
living marine resources and that are required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), Executive Order 12866 (EO 12866), and other
applicable law. The public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 2 minutes per response, including the time for completing, reviewing, and transmitting
the information on the form. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden to: Amy Van Atten, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Northeast Fisheries Observer Program, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole,
MA 02543-1026. Providing the requested information is mandatory under regulations at 50 C.F.R. 600.746. The information on this form will be kept confidential as required
under Section 402(b) of the MSA (18 U.S.C. 1881a(b)) and regulations at 50 C.F.R. Part 600, Subpart E. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. This is an approved information collection under OMB Control No.
0648-0593 through 09/30/2012.

Vessel name

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02/01/10

Trip ID
Hull number
Date landed (MM/DD/YYYY)

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Y

N

Northeast Fisheries Observer Program
PRE TRIP VESSEL SAFETY CHECKLIST (PTVSC)
For each item shade in the appropriate box. Y = yes, N = no,
NR = not required. If the item is required for this particular trip
but not on board, or service date is expired, shade in the “No”
Please provide comments.
box. Shade =

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NR
Vessel walk through: note general condition of vessel. *See back of sheet for examples
Current USCS Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination Decal
*Required for all vessels
Safety Decal Number
Exp
Exp
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
*Required for all vessels operating beyond 3 miles
Hydrostatic release service expiration
Battery expiration

(MM/YY)

(MM/YY)

(MM/YY)

Life raft(s)
Hydrostatic release service expiration
Raft service expiration

(MM/YY)
(MM/YY)

*Required to be sufficient for everyone on board, including observer.
*Not required for vessels within 12 mi. of coast, ≤ 3 people and length <36’.
Immersion suits and personal flotation devices
*PFDs are required to be worn by the observer while out on deck
Are there enough for everyone on board? Keep yours easily accessible.
Radio(s)
Fire extinguishers
Vessels <26’ with outboard motor(s) and portable fuel tanks = not required
Emergency signaling flares *Check expiration dates
<3mi. = night light and smoke or 3 day/night flares; >3mi. = 3 parachute, 6 hand held, 3 smoke
First aid material
Life rings
Vessels <26’ = cushion, >26’ = 1 life ring buoy, >65’ = 3 life ring buoys.
Are safety drills conducted on this vessel? (May include fire, flooding, life raft deployment,
abandon ship, etc.) Please ask captain.
Will one be conducted while you are onboard? Comments? (on back)
Will an underway wheel watch be maintained during this trip? Comments? (on back)

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Were there any stability concerns/issues, either because of behavior or vessel design, during this
trip? *See back of sheet for examples. If yes, please comment on the back.
Did you provide any additional comments on back?
Please provide comments and your signature on the back of this sheet.

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*The following is a list of examples that you should/could check while doing a vessel walk through. They are listed here to assist you
in determining the relative safety of a particular vessel. The list is not comprehensive, but one that is intended to start you thinking.
•
Does the vessel seem well maintained? Is it neat, clean and being maintained by a careful and prepared crew?
•
Any visible hydraulic leaks?
•
Is the vessel being used for the purpose it was originally designed? Have significant changes been made?
•
Do obvious hazards exist? Note potentially hazardous areas/conditions. ALWAYS USE CAUTION AROUND WINCHES.
•
Identify water tight doors. Can they be secured in case of severe weather or emergencies?
•
Are the hatches or passageways blocked or difficult to get to?
•
Does the deck gear appear to be in good working condition? Identify unsafe areas. Note overhead wires or rusted/worn
shackles or blocks.
•
Is the vessel long overdue for a haul out (excessive growth at waterline or hull paint in poor condition)?
•
How often is the bilge pump going on?
•
How is the fish hold covered? Is hatch readily available and in good condition? Are there other openings in the deck and are
good hatches in place or readily available?
•
Would anything prevent you from abandoning ship from the living quarters?
•
What are the escape routes from every part of the vessel you might find yourself?
•
Visualize egress for all possible scenarios (fire, flooding, capsized, dark, etc.) and mentally note landmarks.
•
What are the most combustible items on board and where are they stored?
•
Are there any exposed exhaust pipes/manifolds that might pose burn hazards?
•
Is there heavy equipment on deck that is not latched down?
•
Are there any exposed drive chains, pulleys or belts?
•
Would you be able to access the life raft if conditions were icy or the wheelhouse was on fire?
•
Wood hulls: Rust stains between planks?(may indicate weak fasteners). Protruding planks or inconsistencies in the hull?
(may indicate broken frame/fasteners). Wood rot present? (if yes, likely to be worse in unseen areas).
•
Are there safety issues involved with boarding?
•
Is the number and size of the scuppers sufficient to be effective? Do they become plugged during fishing practices?
•
Is there a station bill posted and is your role clear during all shipboard emergencies?
•
Are there emergency instructions, or did the captain (or designee) give safety orientation, explaining the following: survival
craft embarkation stations; survival craft assignments; fire/emergency/ abandon ship signals; procedures for rough weather;
procedures for recovering man overboard; procedures for fighting fire; essential actions required of each person in an
emergency?
*Required to conduct at least 1 of the following: 1) orientation, 2) safety instructions or 3) safety drills.

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*The following are examples of things to consider related to the vessel design or fishing practices in determining general concerns
with vessel stability.
•
Note the roll period of the vessel. Generally a boat with a quick, snappy roll is more stable than a boat that has a slow or
sluggish roll period. A boat that seems to hesitate on its side, before righting, could be unstable.
•
Does the vessel list excessively?
•
Do the fishing practices involve a pattern of towing heavy bags or dumping the catch to one side of the vessel?

Comments

Stability

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CHECKED YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT?
Please check the method you used to verify the EPIRB hydrostatic release and battery expiration dates:
Visual inspection; record card number and date issued below
EPIRB Visual Inspection Card (EVIC); record card number and date issued below
Approved USCG documentation (comments required)
EVIC card number
Observer signature

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Date issued

(MM/YY)
Date

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