Board calling for improved rules after four fishermen killed in capsizing

The deaths of four Newfoundland cod fishermen in rough weather last summer has prompted a new call for improved fishing-industry safety regulations.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Monday big changes are needed following its investigation into the capsizing of a small boat off Cape Spear on Sept. 6, 2016.

The independent agency released an investigation report that found the crew of the 6.7metre Pop’s Pride — an open fibreglass boat with an outboard engine — chose to haul in their catch about three kilometres southeast of St. John’s despite poor weather that was beyond the normal operating conditions of the vessel.

“Unsafe work practices continue to put fishermen and their vessels at risk,” the report says. “The decision to sail in poor weather conditions was likely influenced by a combination of fisheries resource management measures and economic pressures.”

Amid two-metre waves and a wind speed of up to 55 kilometres per hour, the heavily loaded boat was swamped and sank, leaving the four men in 12 C water. At that temperature, hypothermia can occur within 35 minutes, the board said.

The fishermen did not have immersion suits, and no distress signals were transmitted because the boat was not equipped with a saltwater-activated emergency beacon or a two-way radio — safety items that were not required for this type of small craft.