Ship Equipment

Equipment aboard fishing ship is generally of very good quality, although it is not always well maintained. Then it deteriorates rapidly and reduces the overall safety factor.

On the other hand, fishing gear is almost always the best to be found locally and is usually well maintained because of its importance to the livelihood of the fisher- men, who apparently regard it with more concern than they do the vessel. This is a foolhardy attitude because their catch and even their lives may be lost if the ship is not adequately maintained. The restrictions of labour organizations have been made with little concern for the safety of life at sea. For example, it is almost impossible to find a real seaman among the members of the fisher- men's union who work the California tuna fishing fleet.

They have been organized as fishermen primarily, and think that their major usefulness aboard is confined to catching fish. In their opinion the ship's maintenance is the concern of the owners only. Yet the tuna clippers are at sea for three to six months on a single voyage, and the crews will only do minor maintenance merely to keep the ship operating. Consequently, the clipper's condition deteriorates so much that proper maintenance cannot be paid for out of the share of the catch allowed for that purpose. Many losses have resulted, and much unnecessary expense to owners and crews has been experienced, because vessels again and again put to sea in the hope of making a fast, fruitful trip, the proceeds of which will allow owners to put their ships in good condition.

Fire Protection

In the past, safety equipment, meeting only the minimum standards, has been carried aboard the majority of fishing vessels. No authorized agency has ever estab- lished the proper requirements and even labour organiza- tions have disregarded their members 9 safety in this respect.

For many years independent marine engineers, sur- veyors and equipment suppliers have urged the use of more positive safety equipment and methods. This would call for rigorous training programmes, and there has been little co-operation from owners because they can see no financial gain. Their attitude is strengthened by the ease with which they have been able to insure against loss.