Coast Guard stresses safety when crabbing

WARRENTON — The Coast Guard emphasizes the importance of well-rested crews and vessel operators and continues to stress the value of wearing a lifejacket while working on deck in light of one death and two close calls this crab season here in the Pacific Northwest.

Failure to wear a lifejacket, despite doing everything else right, caused a man to lose his life while crabbing off the Washington Coast early last week.

The crabbing vessel Senja departed the Westport, Wash., marina at approximately 6 a.m. on Jan. 14, with four people aboard, for a week-long crabbing excursion. On Jan. 15, at approximately 6 p.m., the crew began hauling and resetting crab pots, working for several hours. The captain of the vessel commented that the weather was very mild. Though it was dark, there were 2- to 3-foot swells, no wind, and excellent visibility.



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For the complete article see the 01-30-2013 issue.

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