Halibut Safety

[Tinman]

I've run small boats offshore for half a lifetime, but the tales from the Halibut grounds scare me. Near-sinkings, flooded bilges, engine failures, radio failures and seas slopping aboard seem common in the two years I've been following the halibut stories on this board.

How long before a boat goes down with all hands? Survival time in cold water is under an hour. The coast guard can't help if they're occupied with other rescues a mile away. The whole fleet, including buddy boats, can get into trouble at the same time if the winds increase.

A fundamental rule of offshore safety is to go only during exceptionally good weather. The wise skipper picks his day carefully. The short halibut season turns this rule upside down,and tempts skippers to venture into dangerous winds and seas, or risk missing the season altogether.

I mean no disrespect to the halibut fishers, but in my opinion, you are taking grave risks. Comments?

[blast and cast]

I think you are generalizing all halibut fishermen or fisherwoman into one group. With the right boat, captain and gear the trip out 25-miles is not unsafe. I have gone for many years in boats ranging from 22 feet to 30 feet. One must know their limits and accept them. I have turned around more than once on my way out because of rough seas. I do not think there is grave risk if proper planning is involved.

[Threemuch]

I have a tendancy to concur, but I feel like for Halibut, it's a bit different. There are no less than 50 boats, and usually more like 200 going to the same spot. Boat goes down, there are 10 I could swim to, several larger than 40'. The ride in and out are your greatest risk, and it is probably best to do that in buddy fashion, within eyesight.

I also feel that a four day season does reward those who fish in marginal days, and goes against prudent boating. There has got to be a better way.

[Pilar]

Yes, Kurt, lets get the season changed to later in the summer. The weather is less problematic and much more predictable in July to September.

Tinman, thanks for your perspective and comments. We are all just a little too close to the forest to see the trees.

[ 05-15-2002, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[wak'm&stak'm]

Tinman is right in many aspects.....when things go wrong, it just sucks.....I have been fishing out of Newport both sport and commercial for 30 plus years, and I have cursed these seasons and as well a commercial quotas.
In my opinion they put many people at risk, and there is no need for it. Especially with the current halibut populations, there is no doubt that it pushes many in the wrong direction (self included). As a kid we would spend all day at the pile with no radio and all alone in a 23ft dory, and I look back now at how stupid we were, I think we should be real smart about this stuff now.
Everybody got a butt kick'n last week, but when you start leaving footprints on the walls of the wheel house, things need to change.
I agree with Pilar, summer seasons, or something.