Safety in Numbers: A Two-Year Analysis of Safety Incidents in the North Pacific Observer Program. Can Numbers be Used to Enhance Observer Safety?

In 2013, the North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer Program was restructured to include fishing vessels from 40’ to 57.4’ length overall in an observed stratum of the fleet. Previously, vessels below 60’ were unobserved. Observers are trained to report incidents of marine casualties and other incidents that affect the safe conditions aboard the vessels. Examining data from 2013-2014 provides insight into how observer safety is affected while working aboard smaller vessels in Alaskan waters in general, and particularly when compared to larger vessels.

The presentation analyzes incident data reported by observers via vessel surveys completed during debriefings. The results of these analyses demonstrate patterns in safety incidents by vessel size/selection strata (e.g. greater incidence of lack of wheelwatch—though less than anticipated—in smaller partial-coverage vessels versus larger 100% coverage vessels), vessel gear type/fishery (greater total number of safety incidents reported on trawl vessels vs. other gear types), and coverage rates (crew injury/illness incidents reported on full-coverage vessels represent the bulk of fleet-wide reports). These results shed light on current observer safety in the fleet, and also illuminate avenues to enhance observer safety in the future through improvements to safety gear, training, and fleet education through outreach efforts.