Weather Warning for Commercial Fishermen
Irish Water Safety Offers Winter Boating Advice
Jan 9, 2009
Irish Water Safety (IWS) is an organization established by law in Ireland to promote water safety within the country. The group is involved in water safety activities like the training of lifeguards, teaching swimming to schoolchildren, and boating safety. In response to his concerns over recent winter weather conditions, the group’s CEO John Leech has asked skippers of commercial fishing vessels to take additional precautions with their safety while at sea.
Fishing Vessel Safety Suggestions from Irish Water Safety
Irish Water Safety offers some basic and important advice to improve fishing vessel safety during operations in winter weather. These ideas would transfer well to other locations in the world like the north Atlantic coast and Alaska that experience similar boating weather:
- Crew must be wearing appropriate life jackets equipped with crotch straps while on deck
- Overloading is seen as a major contributor in most boat accidents and vessels sinking
- Owner modifications to vessels without marine engineer or architect oversight contribute to many boating incidents
- Ensure vessel crew receives good care and is adequately trained in safety procedures
- Call the Coast Guard early on during a potential emergency; don’t wait first for the problem to grow worse
Fishing Vessel Safety Suggestions for Single-handed Fishermen
Many commercial fishermen operate and fish their vessels alone without a crew. The lack of another person onboard greatly increases the odds that the skipper will not survive an accident that might occur while fishing. Leech reports an average of three single-handed fishermen die each year while fishing in Irish waters. Some additional safety precautions include:
- Place the boat engine in neutral while launching a pot. Many skippers like to shoot pots while underway
- Use the kill switch on vessels equipped with this safety feature and if there isn’t one installed, consider adding one of these devices
- Always wear a lifejacket. IWS recommends using an automatically inflated lifejacket fitted with a crotch strap
- Carry a marine VHF radio onboard at all times. Cell phones are not an equivalent safety substitute for a marine VHF radio
- Be sure any required safety equipment is onboard, fit and ready for immediate use
The mission of Irish Water Safety is to promote water safety throughout the country. This organization seeks and needs support from the commercial fishing industry to help it accomplish this goal. More useful information on water safety can found at the IWS organizational website. Another safety resource in the United Kingdom fishermen and boaters is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) that provides a fishing safety hotline at 0845 601 4072 and many web resources on fishing vessel safety.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
