The U.S. Coast Guard issued two new Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) on January 19. The first was issued from District 17 and concerns notification requirements for vessel operators to immediately notify the Captain of the Port for their area of operation anytime a person onboard has an illness that may adversely affect the safety of a vessel or port facility is a hazardous condition as defined by 33 CFR 160.216. In addition, the State of Alaska requires that the nearest Public Health Nursing Center or the DHSS Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000 of COVID-19 cases on board. Click the link to read U.S. Coast Guard District 17's MSIB Number 01-21, Alaska Fishing Vessel Covid-19 Reporting Requirements.

The second MSIB was issued by the Coast Guard Commandant and will be of interest to Alaska and West Coast crab boat operators, as well as anyone with an interest in vessel stability. It contains a list of things the vessel operator can do to improve their vessel stability awareness, as well as links to guidance of fishing vessel stability. Click the link to read U.S. Coast Guard MSIB Number 01-21, Improving Fishing Vessel Stability.