According to reports from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH, commercial fishing is consistently one of the most dangerous trades.
NIOSH reports that at least in one calendar year, commercial fishermen suffered fatal injuries at a rate 40 times higher than that of an average worker. The NIOSH maintains a database of deadly commercial fishing accidents.
In the fishing industry, fatal injuries often are connected to sinking or other major problems with a vessel, accounting for almost half of fatalities.
About 30 percent of fatalities involve falls overboard from the vessel. A significant number of fatalities also occurred because of work-related injuries aboard the vessel or while diving or working on shore.
By contrast, based on analysis of NIOSH’s database and other sources, more non-fatal injuries happened while victims were onboard the boat. About half the injuries involved contact with heavy objects or equipment. Another common cause of non-fatal injuries were falls and slips.
In most cases, deckhands or others suffered injuries simply while trying to navigate from one part of the boat to another. More than half of the injures were either moderate or serious, with a handful being described as critical injuries.
Victims of commercial fishing injuries in Alaska should know their legal options
The waters of Alaska are extremely dangerous for fisherman. According to NIOSH’s statistics, 27 percent of fatalities occurred in waters around Alaska.
While this figure is less than that of the eastern seaboard, Alaska has more fatalities than the rest of Pacific Coast and the Pacific islands combined.
Those who fish for their living in Alaska are at risk for serious injuries and death, and their employers have an obligation to do what they can to keep their workers safe. If boat owners fail in this obligation, fishermen have legal options.