Sunday, January 22, 2012

'Overtaking, turning into, and colliding with...'

The Sitka herring fishery has a well-earned reputation for rather degrading conduct as seiners — some of them, at least — go hog wild in hopes of landing a lucrative catch.

Every season, it seems, we see more and more evidence of Sitka's cutthroat style of fishing, thanks to the proliferation of digital recording devices and YouTube videos.

Recently, we posted news on our sister blog, The Brig, that one seiner, Daniel Crome, had been charged with a misdemeanor in connection with a vessel collision last season.

Deckboss was curious to learn more about the case, so he requested copies of the charging documents from the Sitka court clerk.

As you will see, authorities had the benefit of audio and video recordings to make the case against Crome.

One wonders whether it's time for changes at Sitka, to bring a bit more decorum into the fishery. And to reduce chances for a real tragedy.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

If these non-licenced captains had Coast Guard Master Licences, they would know the rules of the road. Collision, alisions, and rammings would bring heavier consequences, like loss of licence.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe that Daniel Chrome is unaware of the rules of the road, he is just competing for success along with everyone else in that fishery. Are you suggesting licensing for all captains participating in commercial fishing? I believe the idea would be strongly resisted by fisherman but could be effective in reducing the carnage. If the penalty could include limiting participation in fisheries then boat operators would probably pay attention.
Now can we get Daniel to keep his crew from painting the boat name on shorelines? That practice is so 1970.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, if only these guys knew the rules of the road, none of these rammings would happen.....


Seriously, that fishery has some of the best fishermen in the state. Throw out the masters license and the rule book, those guys are trying to catch fish by any means necessary. If you're in the way of that mission, then no amount of USCG licensing is going to solve the problem. It's a shootout, with the combine guys using boats as a defensive line.

Until they figure a more rational way to conduct the fishery, I don't see that changing.

Anonymous said...

It's a bit like sports, don't go on the field if your not able to take a hit. Stay on the porch, the big boys are playing.

Anonymous said...

We all know the big boys aren't interested in anyone telling them what to do..what? study for a U.S. Coast Guard license? Then stand a chance of being responsible for crew safety and then stand a chance of loosing it all?? No that wouldn't happen until someone gets killed, then it will. Before it gets to this the big boys should ask the Coast Guard to support a equal share fishery.

Anonymous said...

If the C.G., doen't support a safer fishery, keep ramming each other and go to your congressman to get them to.

Anonymous said...

There doesn't have to be a board directive for equal split. The fishermen could do that themselves. You could make the argument that people in favor of the equal split are purposely involving themselves in accidents during the fishery to further their agenda.

Anonymous said...

Just put a squad of marines on each vessel and integrate it into a training scenario. Sabers and bludgeons only, no firearms.

Anonymous said...

Why does the US Coast Guard turn their heads on this one? They are failing miserably on this foolish at best fishery.

Anonymous said...

"Stay on the porch"? hahahaha.....Pull your head out of your ass, not all your senses are working.

Anonymous said...

the boats that use combine tactics are actually breaking the law interference of commerce. Jamie ross couldn't catch crabs off a toilet seat if he wasn't in a group and here we see him hitting the crimson beauty.