Over the last two months we have carried out several safety workshops at ports around Cornwall and Devon, focusing on safe working practice for small fishing vessels and the new Fishing Vessel Safety Code

MCA surveyors were there to advise too. Here are some of the frequently asked fishermen’s questions and the responses that came up during those sessions. 

Q – When does the new Fishing Vessel Safety Code start?

A – Now. The next time your vessel is inspected the new Code will be applied. Your current Vessel Safety Certificate is valid until then.

Q – Do all the Code amendments have to be on my vessel for my inspection?

A – Mostly yes.  But some are brought in after a transition period on 5 September 2023.  You have until your next inspection to refit and upgrade the vessel.  

Q – Can I get a grant for the work?

A – Yes. If you apply for grant funding for safety & welfare improvements you can get up to 80% of the project costs – after the 5 September 2023 (transition) there may not be the same grants available because the requirements become mandatory. 

[The grant for under 12m vessels using static gear is 80% of costs,  Over 12m vessels using towed gear get 50% grant]

Q – Why is a small vessel towing gear getting less grant aid?

A – SCT found no answer to this but passed it on to the grant team at MMO and Fish Industry Safety Group.

Q – What sort of life raft meets the new rules?

A – Life rafts will have to include a SOLAS B pack.  Ask your chandler for advice and read the Code Chapter 7.

Q – What does the surveyor look at?

A – The vessel and crew! At the workshops we handed out a checklist used by surveyors.  It’s a handy guide to help you prepare.  You can download the relevant checklist for your vessel here:  

<15m Aide Memoire MSF5549, 15m-24m Aide Memoire MSF5550  

or 

24m and over Aide Memoire MSF5551 

Q – Do all vessels need a fixed firefighting system?

A – Vessels under 10m need to demonstrate a means of extinguishing fire without opening the engine hatch. Vessels over 10m need a fixed fire fighting system. If you have one please talk to the safety adviser and MCA to check it is appropriate.

Q – Can I change to other methods of fishing?

A – You need to notify the MCA of all the methods of fishing used at the inspection as they will add it to your certificate. And notify the MCA before you change methods of fishing.

Q – What if the vessel isn’t up to the new requirements?

A –  MCA will issue you information on what is required to meet code.  If the vessel needs work you can apply for grant aid up to 80%.  Once the transition period is over you probably cannot get a grant.

Q – My inspection is not until 2024?  Can I do nothing?

A –  Yes But……SCT recommends you check the code because if the vessel is going to need upgrading you can get a grant now, and get it booked into a boatyard. All the work needs to be done before 5 September 2023 otherwise the grants for this type of work will probably stop.

MCA issued a new FV Safety Code on 6 September 2021.  SCT recommend that you check the 131 pages of code for details (the code is complex and you need to read carefully).   For full guidance, click:

The-code-of-practice-for-the-safety-of-small-fishing-vessels

Amendments include: 

* Out of water inspection every 5 years
* Record of Vessel Stability is needed –  heel or roll test and offset load (Chapter 3)
* Wolfson method (Annex 9) applied to most vessels (Chapter 3.12)
* New checklists for LSA and safety equipment
* Changes to a Fishing Vessel must be notified to MCA, including engine replacement
* Weathertight integrity – new requirements
* Secondary means of engine starting (Chapter 4)
* Bulwarks or guard rails raised to 1m above sole (Chapter 6)
* Liferafts requirements changing – transition by 23 October 2022 (Chapter 7.4.1)
* Monthly record of Emergency Drills
* Carry paper charts or alternatives (Chapter 9.7.1)
* A secondary means of starting the engine.

If you’d like more advice or have any more questions you can contact Safety Adviser Clive Palfrey on 07967 009412 or email safety@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk or call the office on 01736 364324.

70% of fishermen have avoided calling the coastguard after an incident at sea

This September Seafood Cornwall Training carried out a new survey about marine accidents as part of our campaign to identify and remove barriers to fishermen reporting accidents at sea 

Our results revealed that 70% of respondents had avoided calling the coastguard after an incident at sea with only 15% confident that they would call the coastguard if they experienced a problem in the future.

But while these results clearly show that skippers and vessel owners do face barriers to reporting marine accidents our survey also revealed that 55% had called the coastguard following an accident at sea, with one respondent commenting: 

“It depends on the problem and if it is likely for it to become life-threatening.”

The main concerns that skippers and vessel owners reported having that caused them to avoid reporting accidents were the risks of vessels being restricted from going out to see again following an  MCA inspection that may follow an accident report.

One respondent explained: “The MCA / MMO restricts the movement of the boat and it’s not allowed to go back to sea for a significant period of time. They seem to make it up as they go along, there are massive differences in the surveyors standards and they aren’t working with the vessel owners. Restricting the boat from going to sea means no income from the families that rely on fishing.”

Another put the situation more bluntly: 

“Unless I’ve got to get in the life raft I wouldn’t call the coastguard. Mainly because of the backlash after. Automatic MCA inspection and risk of the boat being stopped going to sea etc. etc. I think 80% of fishermen are the same. I’ve towed several boats back to harbour in the last two or three years with not one contact with the coastguard on channel 16. Some skippers won’t even communicate on the VHF at all if they have a problem. It’s all done on mobile phones.”

To help vessel owners address concerns of vessels being restricted after inspection, Seafood Cornwall Training have offered free safety and risk assessment workshops, usually one-to-one, from Safety Adviser Clive Palfrey, to ensure that if a vessel does need to report a marine accident, their vessel will be ready for any subsequent inspection from the MCA.

“It’s been good to open up this conversation and allow fishermen to voice their concerns about this issue anonymously,” says Clive Palfrey. “We want to help. We can run workshops with vessel owners and skippers, one-to-one where necessary, to get all the paperwork and safety measures in order so that should they need to call the Coastguard, they will pass any follow-up inspection. A bit of time preparing now can save skippers from the concerns over calling for help and taking risks after an incident at sea.

If you would like more information or to request help with ensuring all your safety standards and paperwork are up to date, call Seafood Cornwall Training 01736 364324 or, Clive on 07967 009412 or email safety@seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk

We’ve launched a new survey on Reporting Marine Accidents as part of our September campaign to remove barriers to fishers reporting accidents at sea.

Fill out our survey here:
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/marine_accidents

Throughout this campaign, we aim to give fishermen the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns about reporting marine accidents at sea.

Fishermen, vessel owners and skippers will also be able to access a free safety audit from Safety Adviser Clive Palfrey, to ensure that if a vessel does need to report a marine accident, their vessel will be ready for any subsequent inspection from the MCA.

“We’re interested in finding out how many marine accidents are reported and providing a safe and confidential space for fishermen and vessel owners to discuss any concerns they have about calling the Coastguard,” says Clive Palfrey. “We’re also here to meet with vessel owners and help them make sure they have all the paperwork and safety measures in order so that should they need to call the Coastguard, they will pass any follow-up inspection, which has been a concern for some vessel owners.

We’ll also be sharing the survey and information on our social media channels. To find out more about the campaign, follow us on Facebook or Twitter at @SCTNewlyn.

Download them here:

Aide Memoire Under 15m

Aide Memoire 15-24m

Aide Memoire Over 24m

or visit the MCA website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/survey-and-inspection-of-fishing-vessels-chapter-1-annexes-msis-27