Coast Guard vessel exams set for April 24-19

The USCGC Fir. (Sept. 23, 2019) Photo by Zachary Snowdon Smith/The Cordova Times

Examiners from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez will conduct dockside commercial fishing vessel inspection April 24-29 in Cordova, with a focus on crewmember safety and emergency preparedness.

All fishing vessels are encouraged to participate in these free, no-fault examinations.

“Commercial fishing vessels are required to comply with the commercial fishing vessel safety regulations, and this exam could reduce the chances of being boarded or the time spent on a safety check during an at-sea boarding,” said CDR Michael Franklin, Captain of the Port at Marine Safety Unit Valdez.

Examinations in Cordova are done on a limited basis, so vessel owners should prepare by reviewing applicable requirements and purchasing necessary equipment for their vessel in advance. They are encouraged to go online to fishsafewest.info and click “Checklist Generator.” This application accepts input on the vessel, such as length, persons aboard, where it operates and more and generates a list of requirements applicable to that specific vessel. This informs vessel owners what dockside examiners will look at.

Vessel owners are reminded that all fire extinguishers on board require maintenance and inspection. Non-rechargeable extinguishers require annual maintenance by a certified/licensed individual. All extinguishers require a tamper proof seal installed and a servicing tag or inspection checklist to record the last 12 monthly inspections. Fire extinguishers not meeting servicing requirements will not be issued a decal.

Those interested are asked to contact the exam test before April 17 at 907-795-5885, to provide preferred date and time, slip number, vessel type size name, color of vessel and owner contact information.

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Contact Petty Officer Kevin O’Rourke at 907-835-7226 for more information.

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