Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS March 2010
THE LOSS OF FISHERMEN OFF EASTPORT AND LUBEC
involved went over the areas they wanted to Ramsdell Construction; Senator Olympia
search. Snowe and Chief of Staff Gail Kelley; Sheldon
The following day they began their Stanley Construction Co.; Town of Lubec
search on board the Boston Whaler using the and the United States Coast Guard.
Klein 3900 side-scan sonar on the west- The typical dragger is about 35 feet in
southwest side of Falls Island. Here the cur- length and drags from the high point of their
rent would be an issue and the survey team boom and there can be a multitude of reasons
would survey with the current, then stop, go for one sinking. Following the survey the
back against the current, stop again and run causes of the lost draggers were attributed to:
with the current. While this was going on lack of stability (towing the drags from a high
MEDRIC II was surveying the shore looking block on the A frame); towing with the current
for debris from the wrecks. in very heavy current areas; medical condi-
On day two of the surveying, a problem tions – fatigue; economic pressures – over-
arose when the side scan sonar stopped fished areas – closed areas; fishing alone – no
working. With a multimeter it was determined other boat in the area; poor chart presenta-
that the problem was a cable and within 25 tions based on very old surveys; poor navi-
minutes the Coast Guard Station at Eastport gation; and inexperience and lack of educa-
had another one out on site. tion concerning stability.
On the third and final day of the survey- What needs to be done: resurvey the
ing, weather was going sour cold and light Cobscook area from North Lubec westward
snow. At this point the surveying was shifted and produce much larger scale marine charts
from the Boston Whaler to the MEDRIC II. for fishing (some of these charts have not
With just 30 minutes to go a wreck was been updated in more than a 100 years); close
located. The scans showed that there was a the area around Falls Island to all fishing
vessel lying on her portside, and you could unless: All vessels fishing in the Falls Island
see the large boom and wire. zone must have a “buddy” fishing vessel
What made this survey successful was within sight (i.e. no fishing alone); All per-
how everyone worked together to accom- sonnel fishing in or transiting the Falls Island
plish the objected goal. zone must wear a PFD; and Dragging in the
Those involved in the survey included: Falls Island zone must not be done from a high
Bucks Harbor Correctional Facility – Dept of block on the A frame.
Corrections; Cooke Aquaculture; ISF Trad- This survey was an incredible accom-
ing – Portland; Maine Emergency Communi- plishment by all those involved. It also shows
cations – Maine Forestry Service – Dept. of what fishermen need to do to protect them-
Conservation; Maine Marine Patrol – DMR; selves. In trying times people take chances,
Operating the Klein side scan sonar off the MEDRIC II.
Maine State Police Dive Team; NOAA Navi- but unfortunately most times they are not
following days search. Most of the time was gational Response Team Five; NOAA Navi- worth the hardships it causes to those left
Continued from Page 1.
spent rigging the boat with a mount for the gational Services Division; NOAA Office of behind. Hopefully the fishermen heed the
Patrol’s 22-foot Boston Whaler was placed side-scan sonar. This was done by the weld- Coast Survey; Capt. Roger Preston and Capt reasons for these losses so that do not be-
inside the heated bay at the U. S. Coast Guard ing instructor and a prisoner from the local David Cline; R. J. Peacock Canning Co.; came a statistic too.
station in Eastport and fitted out for the prison. Then a meeting was held and all
Rugged
120-T4A 120 Hp @ 2500 rpm
170-T6A 170 Hp @ 2200 rpm
✓ 120 or 170 Hp Ideal Ford Lehman replacements
✓ Low RPM for smooth power, longer life
✓ Reliable Isuzu engine blocks
✓
High power-to-weight ratio
✓ Excellent warranty and support
I
MARINE ENGINEERING
N
C
32 Tioga Way · Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 631-3282 (800) 343-0480
www.hansenmarine.com
E-mail:
hansen@hansenmarine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32