March, 2007 What is a Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel? Issue 23E

The Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of The safety and survival equipment required on a vessel 1988 established safety equipment standards for fishing is determined by the area of operation, the size of the vessels, fish processing vessels, and fish tender vessels. vessel, when the vessel was built (or was substantially These standards were codified in the United States Code altered or underwent a major conversion), and how (USC) Title 46, Chapter 45. In 1991, regulations were many individuals are on board. promulgated in Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations Fish processing vessels and Aleutian Trade Act vessels (CFR) Part 28 – Requirements for Commercial Fishing must be examined for compliance with the regulations Industry Vessels. at least once every two years and be issued a Certificate In the regulations, commercial fishing industry vessel of Compliance. They may also have to obtain a certifi- means a fishing vessel, fish tender vessel, or a fish proc- cate of class and a loadline certificate. Regular “fishing essing vessel. Each type of vessel is further defined in vessels” are not required by the Coast Guard to com- the law and regulations. plete a safety examination, however, they are strongly Fishing vessel means a vessel that commercially en- encouraged to do so at the dock where no citations for gages in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish or an deficiencies will be issued. activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the Vessels that can be considered commercial fishing catching, taking, or harvesting of fish. industry vessels and subject to the regulations. (And Fish means The requirements for commercial fishing industry ves- finfish, mollusks, sels may be enforced on other vessels under certain crustaceans, and circumstances. Small passenger vessels, uninspected all other forms of charter passenger vessels, and even recreational vessels marine animal may possess a state or federal permit authorizing the and plant life, catch, landing, and sale of certain species. When one except marine of these type vessels sells their catch, they are clearly mammals and engaged in commercial fisheries operations. birds.) When small passenger vessels are operating Fishing processing vessel means a vessel that commer- under their Certificate of cially prepares fish or fish products other than by gut- Inspection (COI), that is ting, decapitating, gilling, skinning, shucking, icing, carrying more than six freezing, or brine chilling. passengers for hire, they Fish tender vessel means a vessel that commercially are regulated under 46 supplies, stores, refrigerates, or transports fish, fish CFR Parts 175-185. products, or materials directly related to fishing or the However, if they are preparation of fish to or from a fishing, fish processing, fishing and selling their or fish tender vessel or a fish processing facility. catch without passen- U.S. vessels engaged in commercial fishing must be gers for hire on board federally-documented or state-numbered. A vessel of at (not operating under least five net tons which engages in the fisheries on the their COI), they can be navigable waters of the U.S. or in the Exclusive Eco- subject to the require- nomic Zone, must have a Certificate of Documentation ments for commercial from the U.S. Coast Guard bearing a valid endorsement fishing industry vessels. appropriate for the activity in which it is engaged. Uninspected charter passenger vessels (carrying six or Fishing vessels less fewer passengers for hire, or no passengers for hire) than five net tons and recreational vessels that sell their catch can be sub-

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL SAFETY PROGRAM PROGRAM SAFETY VESSEL FISHING COMMERCIAL GUARD COAST STATES UNITED must have a certificate ject to the requirements for commercial fishing vessels. of number issued by If you are unsure about the safety and survival equip- the issuing authority ment for your vessel, contact your local Coast Guard in the State in which unit and request a no-fault dockside examination. For the vessel is princi- more safety information and to view other references pally used. visit our Web Site at www.FishSafe.info.