Lobstering is not without danger. On a trawl , each trap is connected by a length of line. As the boat moves forward, the weight of the previous traps drags the following traps into the the water. If you get a hand or foot tangled in a line as it plays out, there's a good chance you'll end up in the water with several hundred pounds of gear dragging you to the bottom. Hence, oversized boots and gloves should be worn.
Accidental deaths do occur while tending traps on the water.
Usually the victim is out working alone. Today in the waters off southern Maine the majority of lobsters hauled in any given trap are released because they are not of legal size or they are 'V-tails' . An average of two legals in a trap is considered a good catch. Many more are released because they are either too small or too big. In fact, many legal sized animals can and do escape through these vents.