SUMMARY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
1200 West 73rd Avenue Vancouver

BC FISH SAFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MANDATE:
To provide a forum for consultation, discussion, direction and information sharing on fishing safety.  

Introductions:

The retirement of Harvey Linton from WorkSafeBC was acknowledged as well as the move of Mike Ross as a dedicated Fishing Safety Officer into a new position in WorkSafeBC.  The awareness of safety in the fishing industry and the  development of a fishing advisory committee was credited to their efforts.

Robert Sheng-Taylor was welcomed as Harvey's replacement.  She has a long history with WCB and has a strong background in communications which is always an asset.  Heidi Kelly was introduced as the Fish Safe Executive Assistant hired to oversee the stability course administration.

Bruce Logan, co chair commented on the challenges of implementing safety on board with the ever hard to find and changing crew.

Gina Johansen, co chair thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting and stated the importance of re-grouping since the last meeting in February 2006 and the opportunity for everyone to report back on progress and pitfalls and recommendations for the next quarter.    She cited the importance of reporting to the committee on safety concerns so that everyone is made aware and kept in the loop as to what resources are available and what is needed.

Fish Safe Stability Education Program Update

In February 2006 we ran the pilot course and ten fishermen completed the course.  Out of those ten, four became facilitators - Paul Bevandick, Glenn Budden, Bob Hall, and Al Johansen.  The current schedule provides 2-3 courses per month for those who are interested.  Fishing companies are regularly registering people in the course, which shows that they are also supporting fishermen ownership of their safety.

A milestone for this program is that later this month Barb Howe will be attending an International Conference on Stability to deliver a paper on our program - this is a big deal!!  In addition, Ellen Hanson from WorkSafeBC has nominated the program for an Outstanding Achievement award at the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (another big deal).

Most important is that we are seeing results from fishermen.  Those who have participated in the course become advocates for safety.  Support has been received from WorkSafeBC, Mutual Marine as well as the Transportation Safety Board and Transport Canada.  Support is also evident from fishing companies and associations that are organizing and registering their fishermen,

The question of whether this course will become mandatory was raised.  In short - no.  Right now fishermen are volunteering, which contributes to the success of the program.  We are recommending that this stability curriculum and method of delivery be incorporated into the Fishing Master IV course.  Shane Neifer commented that WorkSafeBC wants Masters to be knowledgeable about stability.  They have a checklist that they go over with the Masters to determine the level of knowledge - our Stability course provides that knowledge.  If the Master cannot answer to WorkSafeBC's satisfaction, they are required to take more training.

Comments were made by those in attendance who have taken the course:

Paul Bevandick:  He has 30 years experience fishing and has taken the FMIV prior to attending the Stability Education course.  The FMIV course he took did not include any stability training.  What benefited him immensely was that after day 2 "the light bulb comes on.  I didn't know as much as I thought I did".  He now loads boats differently and does not take any chances, regardless of what condition the fishing boat is in - the boat must be stable.  This course he found to be more fishermen-friendly - the ideas, demonstrations, and knowledge.

Ross Holkestad:  He is a dragger/seiner.  He had his two Skippers take the course after he did.  They learned a lot about top weight.  He always had a stability book but never looked at it - it was just a bunch of lines.  Now he knows how those lines work, etc.  

Fish Safe Tool Box:  How to create stability guidelines

The WCB inspection process requires that fishermen create stability guidelines for their vessel.  How to do that is left up to the vessel owner.  Fishermen that have attended the stability course are provided with direction on how to do that but it was clear from the course evaluations that more was needed.

Fish Safe has designed a step by step stability risk assessment template that allows fishermen to assess their vessel and develop stability guidelines which include procedures and regular maintenance.  Using the risk assessment fishermen can prepare for their inspection.  Gina also provided a sample document that features a stability checklist and guidelines in an easy to read colourful format.  It is one concept that could be adopted and Gina stressed that as important as documenting all vessel procedures are there should be something that is up front and user friendly that deals with the critical issues of stability.

Shane has discussed this with Mike, who thinks it's a great document, but they would refer to it as "interim measures" and it would be one part of an overall health and safety program.  WorkSafeBC doesn't tell fishermen how to do their business, just what they expect and their checklist could be helpful for developing processes.  WorkSafeBC officers are familiar with the boats and are available to review any checklist that is created to see if anything is missing.

Gina clarified that what she is referring to is not a checklist - it is a risk assessment.  Fishermen may know their stability guidelines but they may not know how to document them - the template Gina created could help them to organize their thoughts.  This document would be handy, easy to refer to and would be on the galley table - as opposed to a binder / document with many pages and details that would require much time to read and digest.

It was suggested to take the sample template back to the fishermen to see how they feel about it, maybe test it out on a boat.

Shane was asked if this template would be acceptable to WorkSafeBC.  Shane responded "absolutely", however it may not be complete regarding what they are looking for.  Every boat would fill it out differently.  Gina stated that it is their goal to work toward something to satisfy WorkSafeBC.

Jim Lawson commented that Transport Canada is interested in prevention and he likes the idea of the risk assessment template.

Creative Systems

Bill Plice from Creative Systems was invited to demonstrate the GLM software.  This software was developed using the software used by many Naval Architects in creating stability books.  Fish Safe has undertaken a pilot project with Creative Systems to determine whether the program could be used to update existing stability books or provide a more living option to stability books as it can be modified when the vessel is modified or when the operation changes.    A quick review of the program showed how changes can be shown graphically and instantly, prompting questions about the use of it on board.

In the context of using the program for operational purposes such as determining load sequence, this program is a tool and an aid and would be used as such.  Fish Safe will supply an existing outdates stability book to Creative Systems to test whether it can be successfully updated.  It is expected that we will have this complete by the end of October.

Summit Metrology

The ability to use the GLM software is dependant upon supplying lines plans of your vessel. 

Peter Nichol explained that his company does laser imaging and can do vessels as a means of creating lines plans.  He explained that this is a more accurate and faster process. 

The laser measures everything - rigging, hull, etc - and has a high level of accuracy (to 0.5 cm).  It takes four hours to scan a hull, two hours to develop lines drawings (longer if you want an auto cad solid model).  It costs approximately $3000 to do a hull, including lines plans for a boat 65 feet and under.

Transport Canada

Jim Lawson,Regional Director of Marine Safety commented about his passion for safety and the remarkable energy level on the WestCoast for improving safety on board.

Jim spoke about the need to declare all modifications to a TC inspector.  They have also worked on developing internal policy and procedure so all inspectors apply policy nationally - you will get a consistent  approach from all inspectors/inspections.

There is a MOU in progress between Transport Canada and the DFO - it will deal with how they will work together, their roles and responsibilities in different departments.  There were concerns raised regarding length requirements.  Rita Purdon indicated that they are trying to work with advisory groups and need a consensus from the industry that length is not an issue. 

The MOU is not signed yet but it will be national.  The TC and DFO are committed to having discussions regarding frustrations (length restrictions and safety considerations).  They ask for a bit of time - it will be 6 months to a year before they know how this will work out.

WorkSafeBC

Gina introduced Shane Neifer and gave a bit of background.  They had met in June to see how the inspection process was going.  Gina had concerns that there needs to be more industry communication (i.e. what is expected by WorkSafeBC, outlined to vessel owners).

Shane provided an update, specifically that Mike Ross had moved on to another position, WorkSafeBC did a press release to the Sun, Province, etc, and that there have been 34 inspections concerning the stability component to date (22 trawlers, 6 crab, 3 fishing packers, 2 prawn, and 1 seine).  WorkSafeBC is on draft no. 5 of the stability checklist, but the only changes were typographical.

When an inspection is done, Shane leaves a blank copy of the inspection report along with a copy of his handwritten notes for the Master.  The inspection includes aspects of the Board's three priorities:  vessel stability, cold water immersion and emergency drills.  

The procedures he follows is to contact the owner and set an appointment.  This provides the owner an opportunity to participate and to provide documentation.  Tony from Mutual Marine outlined their system for setting up appointments that has been successful and offered his assistance to Shane.

Vessel selection is based on criteria for high risk: stability issues, sister ship to those with stability issues, modified vessels, multiple fisheries done on a boat, high risk according to WCB statistics (trawler, packer, seiner).

WorkSafeBC establishes the minimum standards of what is acceptable and then requires that an employer demonstrate how they fulfill those requirements.  WorkSafeBC tailors their process so what they require will be in line with what TC will require in the future - still a "best guess". 

The inspection report is still confusing to some fishermen.  It was suggested that they could outline the minimum criteria for what is acceptable.

Final Word

• Communication between WorkSafeBC and the industry needs to be addressed.  Fishermen need to know what is required and/or expected of them in an easy to understand format.  Roberta Sheng-Taylor will follow up on this.

• Gina will proceed with the risk assessment template as a tool for fishermen to develop their stability guidelines.

• Fish Safe will work with Creative Systems to determine the use for the GLM program in updating existing stability books as well as for use on board as loading software.

• TC and DFO have noted concerns regarding length restrictions and what is available through advisory committees

• Fish Safe Stability Education Courses will be offered every month throughout the coast and Fish Safe will continue to focus on education and providing useful tools for fishermen to take ownership of safety on board.

• WorkSafeBC needs to continue to hire from the fishing industry and ensure that there are occupational safety officers dedicated to fishing.  Fish Safe supports the recommendation of Bruce Clarke to have 2 fishing officers on Vancouver Island, 1 in the North and 1 on the mainland.

Reminder:The Fish and Workboat Show

Friday, November 3, 2006   10am - 6pm Saturday, November 4, 2006   10am - 5pmPacific Coliseum  Vancouver, B.C.
Fish Safe Booth #520   
The next Advisory Committee meeting will be held January 25, 2007.  Any suggestions for agenda topics please forward to Gina Johansen ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

WorkSafeBC - Vessel Stability Inspectional Summary

April 2006 to Present (8 September 2006)

34 vessels inspected as follows:

22 Trawl

6   Crab Trap

3   Fish Packers

2   Prawn Trap

1   Seine

• These inspections have been based on the version of the Stability Inspection .Check List that was current at the time of Inspection.
• The current Vessel Stability Checklist remains as "Draft 5".
• These checklists are used by Board Officers to collect the baseline information from which an Inspection Report will be drafted.  The use of these checklists ensures a consistent approach between Board Officers.
• These inspections have included aspects of WorkSafeBC's three priorities, Vessel Stability, Cold Water Immersion and Emergency Drills.
• Inspections have been pre-arranged by contact with vessel owner and appointments were set for inspection.
• Vessel selection follows the ‘high risk' criteria as discussed with Industry at Fish Safe meetings.  These include:
• Vessels that have had stability issues
• "Like" vessels (sister or near sister ships) to those that have had stability issues
• Vessels that have been modified
• Vessels that participate in multiple fisheries where gear changes are required
• Vessels that carry liquid cargo
• The focus initially will be Trawlers, Trappers, Longliners, Packers and Seiners.
• To date inspections have included Trawlers, Trappers and Packers.
• Interactions with vessel masters and crew have been generally very positive.
• Feedback regarding the Fish Safe stability course has also been very positive.
• Addressing the three priorities as stated above requires comprehensive vessel operation instructions, available to the crew, which describes various aspects of the vessel's design and operation.  These instructions will aid in the development of emergency drill procedures and operational maintenance schedules to ensure that the vessels remain seaworthy throughout the voyage and crew are prepared should an emergency situation develop.

Attendance: