Skippers backing safety drive for trawlers

Skippers backing safety drive for trawlers

12 March 2014

AN Ardglass trawler skipper is backing a new campaign aimed at encouraging fishermen to think about their safety before putting to sea.

Martin Rice said he is “totally supportive” of an initiative being spearheaded by the Seafish organisation, the industry authority on sea food.

The local trawler skipper said safety in the fishing industry is of paramount importance and is urging all fishermen to put safety first.

Martin, whose crew were recently presented with new personal flotation devices (PFD) by the Fishermen’s Mission, described them as the “most critical pieces of equipment on board any trawler.”

Research conducted by Seafish has revealed that a quarter of fishermen have experienced a significant accident at sea where their life was at risk. Over half the fishermen surveyed agreed that their job was dangerous yet, significantly, only a quarter admitted regularly wearing the lifesaving device.

The most recent annual figures show there were 260 accidents involving UK fishing vessels, with 44 serious injuries and six deaths. Over the past decade, 94 fishermen have lost their lives, making fishing the most dangerous peacetime job.

Martin said the dangers associated with the fishing industry cannot be underestimated, describing the sea as the “fishermen’s master.” He insists on his crew wearing the modern PFD lifejackets, particularly when it’s dark.

“Fishermen are the last, true, hunter-gathers and working at sea is dangerous. We take our jobs seriously and safety must be at the forefront of everything we do,” he continued.

“The new lifesaving devices have been designed by fishermen and do not interfere with their work on the boats, unlike previous models which were cumbersome.”

Martin said old lifejackets worn by fishermen were in the main designed for the leisure industry. He said while designed to save lives they weren’t practical for working at sea.

“Some fishermen did not like wearing the old devices as they restricted movement. The lifejackets were cumbersome and interfered with what you were doing,” he continued.

The Ardglass trawler skipper revealed he encourages everyone who puts to sea to make sure they are wearing a life jacket.

“The new devices, which have been designed with fishermen’s input, really come into their own during bad weather or when it’s dark. This is the time it is most difficult to be working on deck,” he explained.

Martin praised Seafish for its new campaign and hopes all fishermen will get the message that lifesaving devices must be worn, referring to a Portavogie fishermen whose life was saved as he was wearing a PFD when he fell from his vessel while fishing off the Co. Down coast.

Dr. Lynn Gilmore, project manager at Seafish Northern Ireland, said the organisation’s aim is to help secure a sustainable and profitable future for the UK seafood industry. She said the safety and welfare of its primary producers, the fishermen, is fundamental to this.

Dr. Gilmore added: “A PFD can save a life and by supporting initiatives to provide user friendly equipment and advice to fishermen we hope we can help to improve the current safety record.”