St. Thomas Law Review
Article Title
Big Boats, Big Crews, the Biggest Seas and Little Licenses - Exposing the Regulatory Paradox Allowing the Existence of the Uninspected Fish Processing Vessel
Abstract
This article explores the regulatory paradox allowing these large, crew-intensive vessels, operating in extreme maritime conditions, to be classified as uninspected vessels. Section I of the article explores the legislative history of the current regulatory scheme and its possible relationship to the Magnuson Act while Section H examines the difference in the qualification requirements between crewmembers on inspected and uninspected vessels. Section IH considers any possible mitigation of safety discrepancies between inspected vessels and uninspected fish processing vessels because fish processing vessels require certification by the American Bureau of Shipping. Finally, section IV briefly examines the significance of the fishing industry's exemption from the requirements of STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers).