Coast Guard Terminates Voyage of California Vessel

Coast Guard Group Astoria received several calls last week from concerned citizens who had knowledge of the boat's safety violations.

Photo courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard

(ASTORIA) - The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a fishing vessel that failed to meet safety requirements Thursday at around 3:30 PM near Astoria after receiving tips from concerned citizens to keep an eye out for the boat.

The fishing vessel, Little Linda, homeported in Oakland, California, was found to be in violation of several boating safety regulations.

Expired flares and lack of a ship's bell and whistle, and a Navigation Rules book were discovered in addition to a failure to maintain a life raft and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon and survival suits that did not display the name of the vessel.

The crew of a Coast Guard 25-foot small response boat from Astoria spotted the Little Linda offshore and conducted a boarding that resulted in the termination of the vessel's trip.

The vessel is now restricted from getting underway until it meets all safety requirements.

The Coast Guard strictly enforces boating safety and recommends all commercial and recreational boaters to comply to established requirements.

Expired flares and lack of other signal devices can greatly reduce the chances of being rescued in the case of an emergency.

Regular inspection of life rafts and EPIRBs will ensure the equipment is in good working order when it is needed most, and applying the name of a vessel to survival suits and flotation devices helps rescuers identify people in the water.

A free Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Exam can be obtained through any Fishing Vessel Safety Coordinator located in Oregon.

Call (503) 240-7337 to set up an exam.