Tuesday 11 April 2000

Acclaim for Industry Backed Fishing Safety Device

A UKOOA-backed safety device for fishermen, developed jointly by the fishing and offshore oil and gas industries, has created quite a stir since its launch at Fishing 2000 in Glasgow at the end of March.

Over 150 advance orders for the innovative FishSAFE device have already been taken for installation in UK fishing vessels by the autumn. It has won the praise of fishing organisations and politicians throughout the country, and is attracting attention from as far afield as South Africa, Denmark, Norway, Canada, the Persian Gulf and Australia.

FishSAFE is designed to reduce the risk of fishing nets snagging on oil and gas equipment on the seabed such as pipelines and wellheads. It works by linking an improved SeaFish Kingfisher database of all known such equipment around UK waters to the standard satellite navigation systems used by fishermen. If a vessel strays within six miles of a potential hazard, FishSAFE triggers audio and visual alarms which increase in intensity the closer the obstacle becomes.

Successfully tested at sea last summer, FishSAFE is now being made available to UK fishermen at a special industry supported price. The initial production batch of 300 FishSAFE units will be available to vessel owners who are willing to participate in the pilot PESCA project for a contribution of only £420.

It is expected that this will encourage its widespread uptake by the majority of vessels operating in those UK waters where most oilfields are found. Additional units will then revert to the full price of £1,590.

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) contributed grants totaling £0.5 million towards the development and initial production costs of FishSAFE, while Shells Triton project contributed £120,000.

Backing also came from the two major UK fishing organisations, the National Federation of Fishermens Organisations (NFFO) and the Scottish Fishermens Federation (SFF), which secured further funding for the project through the European Commissions PESCA programme (£468,500). The SFF, which has also pledged funds of £25,000, has endorsed it as a real boost to safety.

FishSAFE will be a significant step forward in creating a safer working environment for our fishermen, comments Alex Smith, President of the Scottish Fishermens Federation (SFF). Dave Bevan of the National Federation of Fishermens Organisations (NFFO) adds, Full marks to the oil industry on FishSAFE and its other recent endeavours. FishSAFE should make snagging on wellheads, pipelines, etc on the UKCS almost a thing of the past.

The FishSafe initiative is an example of how two industries can work together, pooling information and technology to enhance safety and reduce risk, said Dr John Wils, UKOOAs Director of Operational and Technical Affairs.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.

SFF 01224 582583 s.alexander@sff.co.uk www.sff.co.uk

PESCA 01224 665341 abell.ped@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

SeaFish 0131 558 3331 m_limonci@seafish.co.uk www.seafish.co.uk

NFFO 01472 352141 dbevan@nffo.org.uk www.nffo.org.uk