Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
															Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





Crab fishing vessel capsizes and one crew member drowns, Oregon										Related Pages
					Oregon Case Report: 16OR007
Release Date: June, 2020

SUMMARY
On January 26, 2016, three crab fishermen (Captain and two crewmembers) were returning from retrieving crab pots left the week prior by a vessel that sank after setting them, while crossing the same bar off the coast of southern Oregon (see OR-FACE report 2016-06). This 42.3-foot steel hulled vessel experienced mechanical problems approximately 1 mile away from the harbor. It was raining and the seas were rough, with reported 6 to 8-foot swells on the north jetty and 10 to 12-foot swells on the south jetty and winds about 5 mph. As the Captain attempted to maneuver back to the bay, he heard a loud noise, and lost propulsion which meant maneuverability was also lost. He ordered the crewmembers to don immersion suits and called the US Coast Guard (USCG) to request immediate help. The Captain donned a PFD while in the cabin. While waiting for the USCG at the entrance to the bay, also known as the bar, several large waves hit the vessel. An estimated 16-foot-high wave/breaker struck the vessel, rolling it onto its side. The two crewmembers were thrown overboard as it rolled. The Captain exited through a broken window, entering the sea from the bow. The vessel flooded in part from the open aft cabin door, turned into the waves and quickly sank. The USCG arrived 20 minutes after the mayday call was received and found and retrieved the Captain and one crewmember. The second crewmember was found unresponsive and face down in the water approximately 10 minutes later. Resuscitation efforts were started and he was transported to the hospital by boat, then helicopter. At 10 p.m. he was pronounced dead due to trauma and drowning.
OR-FACE received the initial notification of the incident from its ongoing surveillance of programmed Google alerts. This investigation report is based on review of the US Coast Guard Marine Information for Safety and law Enforcement (MISLE) Incident Investigation Report (2016) and NIOSH commercial fishing safety research and recommendations. A phone discussion was also completed 10/30/19 with Mr. Greg Merten, USCG Civilian Search And Rescue (SAR) Planner, Columbia River Division.
**RECOMMENDATIONS**
Confirm major vessel damage is thoroughly inspected and repaired prior to sailing, especially prior to sailing in rough seas and inclement weather.
Establish and follow maintenance and inspection intervals for critical components
Before deciding to fish and venture to sea, Captains must consider weather conditions and vessel suitability.
If the decision is made to cross the bar in rough seas the Captain should request and obtain a USCG escort.
Secure all potential water in filtration points in rough seas, including doors, windows, and hatch covers.
Captains should work together to request regional safety training and encourage crew members to participate in available safety training.Crab fishing vessel capsizes and one crew member drowns, Oregonpdf icon [PDF 2.4 MB]
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  December 7, 2020					Content source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health homeWorkplace Safety and Health Topics
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation(FACE) Programplus icon
New Content
About the Program
Investigations
NIOSH FACE Reports
State FACE Reports
Resourcesplus icon
Agriculture
Commercial Fishing
Construction
Energy Production
Landscaping
Logging
Robotics
Waste Management
Confined Space
Electrocution
Falls
Machine Related
Motor Vehicle
Trenching
Other
Crossing Guards
Hispanic
Youth
Contact Us To receive the NIOSH eNews newsletter, enter your email address: Email Address			What's this?				Submit
 Contact FACE Nancy Romano, M.S., CSHM
FACE Project Officer
Fatality Investigations Team
Division of Safety Research
NIOSHnioshface@cdc.gov **Press Inquiries**nioshmedia@cdc.gov
 Related Topics Traumatic Occupational Injuries
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
Law Enforcement Officer Motor Vehicle Safety
 Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue