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by Ann Backus, MS
In the northeast Atlantic, cold water is with us for at least the next seven months, and in Maine, is present year-round. In the marine environment, cold water is defined as any water that has an average low water temperature of 59 degrees F (15 degrees C) or less in any given month. Beginning in November and lasting through May the “cold water” designation according to 46 U.S.C. 3102 and 4502 (b) is anything north of 37o 07.4’ North (Cape Charles). For the months of December, January, February, March, and April, the cold water designations moves south of 37 degrees N. Basically we are in the cold water zone for the rest of the winter. SSafety and Survival Issues Panic and shock accompany a sudden immersion in cold water. Disorientation, apnea (no breathing), and cardiac arrest (heart attack) can accompany the shock period. Thus the initial plunge into cold water can be fatal. Hypothermia sets in after a period of immersion; the rapidity of the onset of hypothermia and how long one can survive when hypothermic depends on the temperature of the water, the length of the time in the water, and how much body heat the person can conserve. The website of the United States Search and Rescue Task Force (USSARTF) [www. ssartf.org/coldwater_survival.htm] shows a chart of the survival times for temperatures from 80 degrees F to 32 degrees F. In the worse case scenario a person can survive three hours in 80 degree F. water and under 15 minutes in 32 degree F. water. This does not provide a very large window of opportunity for survival, especially when search and rescue time is considered. Signs of Hypothermia A person who is mildly hypothermic may shiver and be rational; unless warmed, however, the person will become unconscious and eventually cyanotic (blue) with a very slow heartbeat. The Task Force points out that even people who reach cyanosis can still be resuscitated if appropriate medical assistance is available.
Because cold water can be instantly fatal or fatal over a short period of time, the US Code of Federal Regulations, and more specifically the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988, laid down very specific, if somewhat confusing, regulations regarding what vessels must have on board in terms of immersion suits and life rafts or survival craft. In order to understand these regulations, we have to define the terms, “Boundary Line,” “coastal waters,” and “territorial waters.” The Boundary Line is a designation drawn from land point to land point across inlets and bays. It is formally defined in 46 CRF Part 7. Sometimes, just because of the lay of the landmasses, the line lies quite far off shore; in contrast there are places where the Boundary Line actually comes ashore. Territorial waters are designated as within three miles of shoreline and coastal waters include territorial waters as well upstream in rivers to a location where they narrow to less than two nautical miles wide. Immersion suits are designed to conserve body heat. Made of neoprene, they must be checked for tears and holes because gasoline, solvents, sunshine, and age can rot them. The zipper must be lubricated with a non-petroleum based wax such as bees wax. Not only must they fit the fisherman to be useful, but also practice getting into them greatly enhances the chance of getting into one quickly in an emergency. In addition the suits must be readily at hand in the pilothouse; not kept in the galley, bunk, engine room, or hold. These proper use suggestions are made and discussed with fishermen during training exercises and in the safety literature; nevertheless, there are still fishermen who have never tried on their immersion suits. Additional regulations specify reflective markings and required lights; please consult 46 CFR 28.135. Given that New England is cold water territory, common sense suggests that every fisherman should have an immersion suit that fits him/her on board and ready, even if he fishes within the territorial limit of three miles. The requirement for survival craft varies depending on the length of the vessel, how many people are on board, how far out to sea the vessel is and whether or not the vessel is federally documented or state registered. With so many parameters, it can be confusing to determine what constitutes compliance for your vessel. The safest choice to make is to take the most stringent requirement for your fishing situation and do it one better. For example, if you captain a state registered vessel greater than 36 feet in length and have more than three people on board, rather than purchase a Buoyant Apparatus, which would constitute compliance, buy and install an Inflatable Buoyant Apparatus. The minimum may not cut it in a winter storm, high seas, or for an extended period of exposure. Storms do not notice whether they are 12 miles off shore or not, or inside or outside the Boundary Line! Play it safe. The table below describes the requirements for immersion suits and various types of survival craft. Please consult 46 CFR 28.120 (a) (b) and (c) for additional specifications and discussion. It’s COLD out there. Fish to survive. Acknowledgement: I am grateful to Kevin Plowman of the USCG Marine Safety Office in Portland for assistance with the COLD WATER chart. — Ann |
