Safety at sea training tops 8,000 in the fishing industry
Since its introduction in 2001, over 8,000 people in Ireland’s fishing industry have completed basic safety at sea training.
Provided by the seafood development agency, BIM has also issued more than 2,000 Personal Flotation Devices (PDFs) with integrated Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to owners of Irish registered fishing vessels in the last five years.
Ian Mannix, Head of Skills and Training, describes the fishing industry as a “highly rewarding” profession. “It’s more than a job, it’s a way of life.”
He acknowledges however it is the most dangerous occupation in Ireland,”Having appropriate safety training and equipment is essential.”
Training courses
BIM offers practical training courses in personal safety and survival techniques. These include a short one-day course, the Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STWC) – Personal Survival Techniques Certificate issued by BIM on behalf of the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS).
The theory element covers personal survival techniques, on-board safety equipment, use of PFDs and PLBs, safety equipment maintenance, musters and drills, abandon ship, life-raft equipment, survival techniques on-board the raft and the role of the Emergency and Rescue Services.
Practical exercise takes place in a swimming pool and includes launching a life raft, boarding a raft in dry and wet conditions, taking injured casualties on-board the life raft and the procedure for righting an up-turned life raft.
These are the essential skills required to demonstrate proficiency in how to survive at sea in the event of having to abandon ship or an accident. Further on-board training and industry experience may be needed to maintain the required standard of competence at sea, BIM adds.
Financial support
Grant-aid of up to 50% of course fees and learner support costs are available. Financial assistance of up to 60% is also available under the ‘Fleet Safety Scheme’ to purchase and install safety items including life-saving, fire-fighting, navigation and radio communication equipment.
Personal experience
Whelk fishermen Gerry Copeland, James Byrne and David Massey, whose boat MFV Lavicca sank off the Wicklow coast in 2015, know the importance of safety training:
‘‘We were hauling a string of pots and suddenly the boat took a jolt. Gerry had reached for the VHF radio but didn’t have time to make the call before we went over and he was trapped inside the wheel-house.
“Gerry managed to find an air pocket, took a gulp of air and dived out of the door and up the side,” David Massey explained.
“As soon as James asked where the life raft was, it popped up too. The emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) in the wheelhouse also floated free.”
The boat sank within minutes; however due to the on-board safety equipment and activation of their PFDs, the rescue services were alerted and were quickly on the scene.
“Only for the lifejackets we had on us, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” recalled Gerry Copeland.
It is an ongoing campaign with BIM to change the culture, in the belief that a ‘well-trained crew is a safe crew’.
All persons operating or working on board fishing vessels of 15m or less are eligible to apply and will receive a PFD fitted with a PLB when training is completed.
