December 4, 2014 — Congress passed a bill today that will help ensure the safety of local fishermen, according to US Congressman William Keating (D-Bourne).
The bill, HR 5769, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, reauthorizes funding for the US Coast Guard for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. Included in the legislation was a Keating Provision that reauthorized critical fishing safety training grant programs.
“I am pleased that my provision to extend the reauthorization for fishing safety and research grants was included in the final Coast Guard conference bill that just passed the House,” said Keating. “As the Representative for the largest coastal district in the Commonwealth that is home to our historic fishing industry, ensuring that fishermen receive necessary training is of great importance to me. Many don’t realize, but commercial fishing is one of the deadliest jobs in America according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These grant programs will teach basic safety skills while saving in search and rescue costs.”
Read the full story at CapeCod.com