(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - A Ketchikan Coast Guard Station law enforcement team directed the operator of a commercial fishing vessel to return to port after several safety violations were discovered on board last week.

Station crewmembers escorted the lone fisherman aboard the 24-foot fishing vessel Brynn Tamara, to port in Metlakatla after it was discovered that he did not have required safety gear including cold water immersion suits, emergency flares, a life ring, a sound producing device and fire extinguishers on board.

Station crewmembers boarded the vessel around 7 p.m. last Tuesday more than 20 miles east of Metlakatla during a random safety check. The Coast Guard has the responsibility to ensure the safety of all mariners on Alaska’s waterways and at-sea inspections are an essential tool towards ensuring safety.

“It is extremely important for mariners to have a minimum level of gear on board their vessel,” said Vince Grochowski, Sector Juneau search and rescue controller. “In the event of an on the water emergency, these essential tools are the boaters first line of defense and all they will have to ensure their safety until assistance can arrive from the Coast Guard or another prepared boater.”

A violation has be issued for each discrepancy, however, some violations can be dismissed if the boat owner can show proof the issues were remedied.

The fishing vessel will be authorized to leave port again when all discrepancies are fixed.

Source of News: 

USCG
www.uscg.mil

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