Reality television shows highlighting the risks of offshore employment have increased awareness of the hazards of commercial fishing. The professionals who harvest and transport seafood are among those most at risk of injury or death on the job, and more people now recognize that fact.
While there are many potential risks that commercial fishermen face at work, three specific workplace hazards account for approximately 91% of all fatal commercial fishing incidents.
1. Vessel disasters
Getting swept up in a sudden storm or colliding with another vessel can have devastating consequences. Vessel disasters often provide limited time to respond and can compromise the safety equipment on which maritime workers rely. Vessel disasters are responsible for 47% of fishermen fatalities.
2. Falls overboard
Getting swept overboard by a wave, falling due to slippery surfaces or becoming tangled in a net can have tragic consequences. Both drowning and blunt-force trauma from the fall itself can cause worker deaths. Especially in scenarios where co-workers are unaware that a professional has gone overboard, severe injury or premature death could be possible. Another 30% of all fisherman fatalities involve falls overboard.
3. Onboard injuries
There are many heavy pieces of equipment and sharp implements on board a fishing vessel. Making contact with heavy equipment could cause fatal injuries. So could an incident involving a cutting tool or a fall from an elevated position on the vessel onto the deck. 14% of fatal incidents occur onboard the vessel.
Both injured commercial fishermen and grieving families have the right to take legal action after maritime incidents. Commercial fishermen and other maritime professionals may require support as they seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, and that’s okay.