COMMERCIAL 



FISHERMEN 



THEIR 

 CRISIS, 

 THEIR 

 GRIPES, 

 THEIR 

 GAMBLE 



BY KATHY HART 



Commercial fisherman Doug Lewis of Stacy 

 is a gambler. 



But he isn't betting at roulette, cards or craps. 

 He's risking his livelihood— commercial fish- 

 ing. 



You see, Doug Lewis is uninsured. 



Every time he pulls away from the dock he 

 gambles that his boat won't catch fire or cap- 

 size or that his mate won't be injured and sue. 



It's not a risk Lewis takes willingly. He 

 simply can't afford the price of insurance for 

 the 38-foot boat he uses to shrimp, clam and 

 longhaul. 



Hull insurance alone would cost $3,000 to 

 $4,000 a year; Protection and Indemnity insur- 

 ance for his mate, another $2,000 to $3,000. 



It adds up to more than a small-boat fisher- 

 man can pay, Lewis says. 



And he's not alone. Many other North Caro- 

 lina fishermen are gambling too. 



Insurance premiums have doubled and 

 tripled over the past three years, adding 

 another hefty cost to the business of commer- 

 cial fishing. 



Combined with rising fuel costs, increased 

 foreign competition, Hmited stocks, fluctuat- 

 ing market prices and overcapitalization of the 

 industry, insurance is becoming the cost that 

 breaks the fisherman's back. 



Some fishermen are hanging up their nets or 

 going uninsured like Lewis. 



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Others are writing the four- and five-digit 

 checks that protect them, their boats and their 

 crews, knowing that the premiums will reduce 

 today's profits and tomorrow's investments. 



All are grumbling about insurance costs, 

 pointing accusing fingers at trial lawyers and 

 wondering what can be done to reduce 

 premiums. 



