Commercial fishing boats, tenders and floating processors that operate more than three miles off shore will soon have to get safety exams every two years. Until now, those dockside exams were voluntary. Under the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, they will be mandatory after October 16th for boats that go beyond three miles as well as any vessel operating anywhere with more than 16 people on board.

Petersburg’s South Harbor. KFSK file photo.


To find out more, Matt Lichtenstein spoke with Ken Lawrenson, who’s the Fishing Vessel Safety Coordinator for the Coast Guard in Alaska.