http://www.uscg.mil/D13/SAFECRAB/

Pacific NW carb fishermen now experience a higher risk or on-the-job
death or injury than any other occupation, including Bering Sea
crabbers.

One of the problems is that boats under 79-feet don't require a
"stability letter" to indicate how high the pots can be stacked on
deck. Most of the crabbers are about 50 feet LOA, and the skippers
just pile post up about as high as they think they can get away with.
High COG often results.

The new USCG crackdowns should help reduce the loss of life.