The regional coordinator of the federal "on-board observer program" — whose operation has become a flashpoint complaint of fishermen in problem-solving meetings called by the government — withheld from the industry that observers interfering with life-saving electronics — the EPIRB signals — has become a systemic pattern.
Amy Van Atten had already learned of the frequent bollixing of the lifesaving equipment in reports by fishermen through documented correspondence published on the website of the New England Fishery Management Council.
According to an exchange of e-mails between Eric Brazer Jr., of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association, and Rodney Avila, a New Bedford boat owner and council member, at least eight fishermen have watched inexperienced observers fumble or compromise boats' EPIRB equipment.
Avila said he had been documenting the dangerous mistakes of observers for more than two years — and had briefed Van Atten in detail about the ways in which their work was accidentally compromising the safety equipment on fishing boats, and had done so repeatedly.
Read the complete story at The Gloucester Daily Times.