'There's no lobster worth a life': P.E.I. fishers reminded life-jackets are mandatory - Action News
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PEI

'There's no lobster worth a life': P.E.I. fishers reminded life-jackets are mandatory

As many fishers on P.E.I.get ready to begin their season, they are being reminded that life-jackets are required on the water.

Season opens Sunday on P.E.I.'s north shore

'We've lost a few fishermen': P.E.I. crews reminded life-jackets could prevent tragedy

6 months ago
Duration 1:20
Life-jackets or other kinds of personal flotation devices are mandatory when fishing crews are out on the water, with employers required to provide them. Danny Smith with the Workers Compensation Board and lobster fisher Allan Coady talk about the rules and how more and more harvesters have been obeying them as the years go by.

Many fishers on P.E.I. have heeded the message around the use of life-jackets on the water, health and safety officials say.

With many fishers beginning their season, occupational health and safety officials have been visiting harbours to reinforce the message around life-jackets.

Regulations require their use. While some fishers might not have worn a life-jacket years ago,more people seem to be following the rules now, says Danny Miller, director of occupational health and safety with the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I.

"It's a very positive change," he said."Ihope fishers are doing the right thing and it's not just because we're watching. Hopefully they're doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do."

Allan Coady, who's fished lobster since the 1970s, said everyone on his boat for setting day Sunday will be wearing one.

Man looks at life jacket.
Danny Miller, director of occupational health and safety with the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I., says fishers can face penalties if they do not wear life-jackets on their boats. (CBC)

"I'm all for that," said Coady, standing on the dock at Covehead Harbour."I have 22 on board so we do have lots of life-jackets."

He said it can be a "little more awkward" to wear a life-jacket when fishing, he said.But he said fishermen have died because they weren't wearing them.

Fisherman putting on life jacket.
Allan Coady inspects the life-jackets on his fishing boat Friday in Covehead Harbour. (CBC)

Ahead of setting day on Sunday, he said safety is top ofmind."There's no lobster worth a life, that's for sure."

If fishers don't wear a life-jacket they can be issued a non-compliance order. If they don't comply, a stop-work order can be issued.

With files from Laura Meader