Tag Archives: Alaska

General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

NORTH TO ALASKA!

It’s always been my dream to go to Alaska, and someday, I hope to make it come true!  After watching the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch”, however, I don’t think I want to make any career changes!  It takes special persons, to make up the crews on those big fishing vessels.
The lures to become this type of fisherman are money and adventure.  There’s money to be made, depending on the total catch, and how it is divided among the crew.  Since the work is seasonal, the crews work hard to have successful catches.  Newcomers must get experience on other types of fishing boats, such as those fishing for salmon before they can get hired to work on the King Crab ships.  There is usually an abundance of work in canneries and processing, and persons such as students or teachers can enjoy the extra money during their time off from their regular job.
This is one of America’s most dangerous professions; the Bureau of Labor determines the risk factors, and commercial fishing usually tops the list of risky occupations, but there are others that have higher rates of occupational deaths.  From year to year, the lists vary, according to other resources that study occupational injury and death.  Usually the military has been left off the lists; however, because of the wars we are involved in, they have been included, and rightfully so.
While fishing off the Alaskan coast, the crews face turbulent seas, fog, falling overboard and drowning, icy waters, working with huge winches and hoists.  Another major problem is ice, which can form on the masts and decks.  Those who stay at sea for extended periods of time must be well prepared.  Fishermen must have warm clothes, rainsuits, boots, winter liners, and gloves.  If there is illness or injury while out to sea, access to medical assistance is far away.  Because the potential of injury is present, applicants should inquire about the safety policies and procedures the company has established, and obey every safety aspect of the work involved.
The coast of New England also boasts a huge fishing industry, with lobsters being the main attraction.  So, the next time you are in your favorite seafood restaurant, think about the effort and risks taken by those brave souls that furnish the delicacies we take for granted.
It’s always been my dream to go to Alaska, and someday, I hope to make it come true!  After watching the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch”, however, I don’t think I want to make any career changes!  It takes special persons, to make up the crews on those big fishing vessels.
The lures to become this type of fisherman are money and adventure.  There’s money to be made, depending on the total catch, and how it is divided among the crew.  Since the work is seasonal, the crews work hard to have successful catches.  Newcomers must get experience on other types of fishing boats, such as those fishing for salmon before they can get hired to work on the King Crab ships.  There is usually an abundance of work in canneries and processing, and persons such as students or teachers can enjoy the extra money during their time off from their regular job.
This is one of America’s most dangerous professions; the Bureau of Labor determines the risk factors, and commercial fishing usually tops the list of risky occupations, but there are others that have higher rates of occupational deaths.  From year to year, the lists vary, according to other resources that study occupational injury and death.  Usually the military has been left off the lists; however, because of the wars we are involved in, they have been included, and rightfully so.
While fishing off the Alaskan coast, the crews face turbulent seas, fog, falling overboard and drowning, icy waters, working with huge winches and hoists.  Another major problem is ice, which can form on the masts and decks.  Those who stay at sea for extended periods of time must be well prepared.  Fishermen must have warm clothes, rainsuits, boots, winter liners, and gloves.  If there is illness or injury while out to sea, access to medical assistance is far away.  Because the potential of injury is present, applicants should inquire about the safety policies and procedures the company has established, and obey every safety aspect of the work involved.
The coast of New England also boasts a huge fishing industry, with lobsters being the main attraction.  So, the next time you are in your favorite seafood restaurant, think about the effort and risks taken by those brave souls that furnish the delicacies we take for granted.
General Safety Issues

GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL BRINGS BACK HAUNTING MEMORIES TO RESIDENTS OF ALASKA

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On March 24, 1989, an oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez, hit the Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, and things have never been the same for this pristine area.  Alaskans are watching the cleanup process that is beginning on the shores of Louisiana, and Alabama.  Florida and Mississippi’s shorelines are also threatened.  The oil that leaked from the Exxon Valdez is still ranked #1 in environmental damages; however, it has been dropped from the top fifty international oil spills.  The damage to the fishing industry in Alaska, as well as tourism and other resources suffered immensely.  On the outside, it is vastly improved; but on the inside, Alaskans who were involved are scarred.

According to the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, the National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident and determined that the probable causes of the grounding were:

1.    The failure of the third mate to properly maneuver the vessel, possibly due to fatigue and excessive workload;

2.    The failure of the master to provide a proper navigation watch, possibly due to impairment from alcohol;

3.    The failure of Exxon Shipping Company to supervise the master and provide a rested and sufficient crew for the Exxon Valdez;

4.    The failure of the U.S. Coast Guard to provide an effective vessel traffic system

5.    The lack of effective pilot and escort services.

The ship’s captain had received permission to use the inbound lane rather than the outbound lane, due to the presence of icebergs.  However, once the ship passed the icebergs, it didn’t get back into the correct passage and became grounded on the reef.

Four summers were spent cleaning up the shores. More than 1,000 boats and 100 airplanes and helicopters were involved, as well as  more than 11,000 Alaska residents and some Exxon employees working together to restore the area.  Imagine 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools full of oil; that is equal to the amount of oil that leaked from the tanker.  Some of the wildlife and sea creatures of Alaska have come back; the herring have not.

Even though residents received monetary compensation, which took years in some cases, due to appeals, they feel they were not repaid for years that they were unable to make a living, most of them by fishing.

It’s unclear what will happen on the Gulf Coast, but massive efforts are being made to protect the wildlife and do what can be done to prevent the same devastation of livelihoods in that area as happened in Alaska.  After a thorough investigation, time will allow us to know what caused the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon, taking the lives of eleven persons, as well as injuring several others.  Until that time, our thoughts are with those who are trying to stop the oil spill, in addition to those who are struggling to protect the Gulf shores.

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

MT REDOUBT, CONTINUED

Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have been closely watching Mt. Redoubt, an active volcano in the largely volcanic Aleutian Range, since the end of January, when geologists recorded a sharp rise in earthquake activity.  In a recent AP release, (March 23)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory said there have been five eruptions since from Sunday (March 22 through Monday, March 23), which spewed ash nine miles into the air, floating down into communities north of Anchorage.  The Observatory also stated that this type of activity could indicate that it is creating a formation called a lava dome.  Volcanologist Peter Cervelli said that such a formation could collapse, causing mudflows and more ash plumes.

Citizens of Alaska are not unfamiliar with these occurrences, and usually have advance warning in order to be prepared for the eruption of a volcano.  Ash fall from the Alaska volcanoes are tiny parts of rock and glass, which can cause severe injury to breathing passageways, eyes, nose, and open wounds.  The ash can also cause damage to equipment and vehicles.

As with any natural occurrence, we encourage persons in the area to be prepared the best way possible, by:

  • Having a first aid kit ready
  • Staying inside as much as possible
  • Wearing face masks
  • Covering face with wet cloths, if masks unavailable
  • Wearing goggles, especially over contact lens
  • Keeping fresh supplies on hand, i.e., water, food
  • Closing windows and vents to chimneys.

Following most eruptions, the possibility of short-term minor discomforts such as nasal and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, uncomfortable breathing, skin irritations, and painful itchy eyes are typical results, rather than more serious health problems.  However, persons who suffer from respiratory ailments should take extra precautions to be prepared.