Coast Guard coming to do vessel inspections

Coastguardsmen stand outside and wave to their families who line the pull off on Orca Road as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore departs Cordova for the last time on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. The Sycamore, stationed in Cordova since July 2002, is headed to the Coast Guard yard in Baltimore, MD for midlife maintenance availability. (Photo by Emily Mesner/The Cordova Times)

Commercial fishing vessel examiners from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez will be in Cordova April 26 through May 1 to conduct dockside exams, to ensure vessel safety and preparedness for emergency situations.

Exams in Cordova will be conducted on a limited basis, so vessel owners should be prepared for their scheduled exam by reviewing applicable requirements an purchasing the necessary equipment for their vessel in advance. Harvesters are encouraged to visit fishsafewest.info and click the link to the “Checklist Generator.” This application accepts input on the fishing vessel, such as length, persons on board, where it operates and more, and generates a list of requirements that apply to that specific fishing vessel. This will inform owners on exactly what the Coast Guard examiners will look for in their exam.

Mariners wishing to complete their annual exam in Cordova should contact the Marine Safety Unit I Valdez before April 24 by calling 907-793-5885. Information required to schedule an exam includes preferred date and time, slip number, type of vessel, size, name, color of vessel and owner contact information.  Petty Officer Chelsea Zimmerman may be reached at 907-835-7223 for additional information on the Coast Guard commercial fishing vessel safety program in Valdez ad Cordova.

Some reminders on regulations: All fire extinguishers on board require maintenance inspections. Non-rechargeable extinguishers require annual maintenance performed by vessel owner and are required to be replaced after 12 years. Rechargeable extinguishers require annual maintenance by a certified/licensed individual. All extinguishers require tamper proof seal installed and a servicing tag or inspection checklist to record the last 12 monthly inspections. Fire extinguishers not meeting servicing requirements will prevent a decal from being issues, the Coast Guard said.

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