# Are Crab Boat Captains licensed by the Coast Guard? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412 "2010-06-16T12:49:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/1 "2010-06-16T12:49:52Z")
I’ve been watching the Deadliest Catch. It’s been widely reported that crab boat captain Phil Harris died a few months ago. He stroked out. Fortunately for the crew it was at the docks while they were off loading. A day earlier they were in the Bering sea, covered in ice, and battling 15 foot waves. That’s not a good time to lose the captain of your ship. You really don’t want a deckhand taking over in those conditions. The boat has to navigate back to the dock somehow. I’ve wondered how closely the Coast Guard regulates small boat captains. I’m pretty sure a commercial captains license is required? Are there requirements for experience and some sort of tests? What about a doctors physical? Phil had a blood clot pass through his lungs (at sea) two seasons ago. He missed almost a year’s crabbing. I’ve wondered if the coast guard required extensive physicals for a person with that serious a health history? It’s disturbing to think a person in poor health is captain of a fairly large boat. I’m also shocked that these crab boat captains go thirty or more hours without sleep. Hell, truck drivers can’t drive that long without rest. It’s too dangerous. Why are commercial captains allowed? Is the Coast Guard regulating commercial fishing captains at all? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/2 "2010-06-16T13:04:40Z")
All the crabbers in the Bering Sea have a first mate who relieves the captain when he is sleeping. Following Captain Phil Harris’ stroke, the Cornelia Marie continue fishing for opelio crab, [with relief captain Derek Ray in the wheelhouse.](http://www.deadliestcatchtv.com/news/discovery-channel-plans-for-public-memorial-and-tribute-for-captain-phil-harris/) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/3 "2010-06-16T13:20:36Z")
I realize a reality show hypes the drama. But it doesn’t seem like the captains of these boats are regulated very closely. It’s scary seeing these guys chain smoking and staying awake for extended times. In contrast, a truck driver is required to keep a driving log that tracks his time behind the wheel. He must take the required rest breaks. Those logs can be audited at any time. Truckers with health problems have to be re-certified to drive. My uncle had a heart attack and spent a long, long time getting his commercial license back. He literally was stocking shelves at a grocery store just to pay his bills. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/4 "2010-06-16T13:32:15Z")
Just a little nit pick. The Harris’ _said_ he had a blood clot in his lung, and that he had a stroke. His symptoms said something different. The lung incident sounded more like he blew a bleb.\* His demise was preceeded by severe back pain and palor. That is more indicative of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, that could indeed, lead to a stroke before the final event. Remember, medical information is private, so he or his family can say anything they like. \*A damaged alveolus blew out allowing blood to enter the lung. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/5 "2010-06-16T14:12:25Z")
Liciences for deckies are regulated by tonnage. Being a snipe I am not sure what the lowest tonnage that requires a licience. But I think most fishing boats are small enough that they do not require a licenced captian or mate. Most of the boats have experienced deck hands that could take over for the captian. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/6 "2010-06-16T14:15:43Z")
I’m not sure which license the crab boat guys fall under. Their boats are a lot bigger than a typical Florida fishing boat. The tonnage of the boat and where it is operated determines the type of captains license. This article briefly describes the various licenses. > **[Sea captain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_%28nautical%29)** > > A sea captain, ship's captain, captain, master, or shipmaster, is a high-grade licensed mariner who holds ultimate command and responsibility of a merchant vessel. The captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the ship, including its seaworthiness, safety and security, cargo operations, navigation, crew management, and legal compliance, and for the persons and cargo on board. > The captain ensures that the ship complies with local and international laws and complies also with ... ---
**Author:** ![pipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/7 "2010-06-16T14:38:10Z")
Truckers are more closely regulated because a momentary lapse of concentration can easily lead to a crash. Out at sea, things happen more slowly. Especially in the Bering Sea, you can probably go days without seeing another vessel, let alone worry about hitting it. Further, all ships over 300 tons are now required to carry [AIS](Truckers are more closely regulated because a momentary lapse of concentration can easily lead to a crash. Out at sea, things happen more slowly. Especially in the Bering Sea, you can probably go days without seeing another vessel, let alone worry about hitting it. Further, all ships over 300 tons are now required to carry AIS transponders/receivers, which are easily set to provide advance warnings of potential collisions.) transponders/receivers, which are easily set to provide advance warnings of potential collisions. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/8 "2010-06-16T14:42:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m also shocked that these crab boat captains go thirty or more hours without sleep. Hell, truck drivers can’t drive that long without rest. It’s too dangerous. Why are commercial captains allowed? Highways present oncoming vehicles a few yards/meters away with the combined speed of impact likely to be in the 100-150 mph range. Moving trucks can’t be left unattended for more than a few seconds (and sometimes not even that) without grave risk of collision. Even if there were another driver in the truck, he couldn’t realistically assume control while the truck is in motion. Boats, on the other hand, hardly ever face oncoming traffic, can often sit uncontrolled for extended periods of time, and can easily have control assumed by another pilot in seconds. It’s an apples to oranges comparison – the situations aren’t even remotely similar. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/9 "2010-06-16T14:57:55Z")
looks like the Cornelia Marie is under the 300 ton requirement. wikipedia lists 198 GT 135 NT > [@](#): > > she is 128 feet (39 m) long, 28 feet (8.5 m) wide, and carries 28,500 U.S. gallons (23,700 imp gal; 108,000 L) of fuel and 3,000 U.S. gallons (2,500 imp gal; 11,000 L) of fresh water.[ > **[Deadliest Catch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FV_Cornelia_Marie)** > > Deadliest Catch is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005. The show follows crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons. The base of operations for the fishing fleet is the Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Produced for the Discovery Channel, the show's title is derived from the inherent high risk of injury or death associated with this line of work. > The ... Time Bandit length 113 feet beam 28 feet 298 tons ??? seems high compared to the others > **[Deadliest Catch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FV_Time_Bandit)** > > Deadliest Catch is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005. The show follows crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons. The base of operations for the fishing fleet is the Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Produced for the Discovery Channel, the show's title is derived from the inherent high risk of injury or death associated with this line of work. > The ... Northwestern length 125 feet beam 28 feet 197 tons gross 134 tons net > **[FV Northwestern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FV_Northwestern)** > > F/V Northwestern is an Alaskan crab, Pacific cod, and salmon tendering commercial fishing vessel featured in the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch. To date the Northwestern is the only vessel to have featured on all 21 seasons of Deadliest Catch as well as the pilot series America's Deadliest Season. The vessel is owned and operated by the Hansen family of the state of Washington with Sig Hansen serving as the vessel's primary captain. > The F/V Northwestern, a western rigged boat, was c... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/10 "2010-06-16T15:27:35Z")
the biggest boat is the Wizard. It is well over the 300 ton mark. It should have a AIS transponders/receivers. length 150 feet beam 30 feet 499 gross ton 371 net ton > **[Deadliest Catch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FV_Wizard)** > > Deadliest Catch is an American reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on April 12, 2005. The show follows crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons. The base of operations for the fishing fleet is the Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Produced for the Discovery Channel, the show's title is derived from the inherent high risk of injury or death associated with this line of work. > Deadli... ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/11 "2010-06-16T16:15:10Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > Liciences for deckies are regulated by tonnage. Being a snipe I am not sure what the lowest tonnage that requires a licience. But I think most fishing boats are small enough that they do not require a licenced captian or mate. Most of the boats have experienced deck hands that could take over for the captian. On the show, most/all crew members have been shown taking a wheel watch, where they drive the boat while the captain & crew sleep. From what I remember though, it’s always the captain driving while they’re actually pulling up or dropping pots. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/12 "2010-06-17T04:23:53Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > On the show, most/all crew members have been shown taking a wheel watch, where they drive the boat while the captain & crew sleep. From what I remember though, it’s always the captain driving while they’re actually pulling up or dropping pots. any one can take the wheel that a captian asigns. When they are pulling pots each man will have an assigned job. The captian’s as the man in charge will be at the helm. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/13 "2010-06-17T04:27:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m not sure which license the crab boat guys fall under. Their boats are a lot bigger than a typical Florida fishing boat. > The tonnage of the boat and where it is operated determines the type of captains license. > > This article briefly describes the various licenses. > [Sea captain - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_%28nautical%29) Just a nitpick but your link has some errors. The biggest is that the Captian manages all the personel on a ship. He only manages the deck crew not the engineering crrew. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/14 "2010-06-17T04:43:08Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > Just a nitpick but your link has some errors. The biggest is that the Captian manages all the personel on a ship. He only manages the deck crew not the engineering crrew. Your experience is naval I think. On a fishing vessel I don’t think this division exists rigidly or perhaps even at all. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-crab-boat-captains-licensed-by-the-coast-guard/543412/15 "2010-06-17T04:48:22Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Your experience is naval I think. On a fishing vessel I don’t think this division exists rigidly or perhaps even at all. In the Navy they all belong to the Captian. Fishing vessel probably does not require a licienced engineer so they would all belong to the captian. But the article was about responsiblities of a wide open captian. On a ship requiring an unlimited captian’s ticket is going to have an engineering department.