Fishing boats are hazardous working environments. Further efforts are required to prevent falls overboard and on deck, and to redesign or install safety features on fishing machinery and equipment.

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Objectives-To evaluate the eVectiveness of the United States Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 in reducing the high occupational death rate (200/100 000/year in 1991-2) among Alaska's commercial fishermen. Methods-Comprehensive surveillance of deaths in commercial fishing was established by our oYce during 1991 and 1992 for Alaska. Demographic data and data on risk factors and incidents were compiled and analysed for trend. Results-During 1991-8, there was a significant (p<0.001) decrease in deaths in Alaska related to commercial fishing. Although drownings from fishermen falling overboard and events related to crab fishing vessels (often conducted far oVshore and in winter) have continued to occur, marked progress (significant downward trend, p<0.001) has been made in saving the lives of people involved in vessels capsising and sinking. Conclusions-Specific measures tailored to prevent drowning associated with vessels capsising and sinking in Alaska's commercial fishing industry have been successful. However, these events continue to occur, and place fishermen and rescue personnel at substantial risk. Additional strategies must be identified to reduce the frequency of vessels capsising and sinking, to enable parallel improvements in the mortality among crab fishermen, and to prevent fishermen falling overboard and drownings associated with them. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:691-695)

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