Friday 19 March 1999

UKOOA Cartoon Highlights Dangers Of Fishing Near Pipelines

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the representative body for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, has commissioned the services of top cartoonist Bill McArthur, to use humour to deliver a serious message to fishermen about the dangers of fishing near pipelines.

A regular contributor to Fishing News for 11 years, and the Heralds daily political cartoonist, McArthur was engaged by UKOOA to create an original cartoon for the Industrys new safety information campaign targeting the fishing industry.

The cartoon depicts two fishermen debating whether it is their vessel that is caught fast on some underwater obstruction or the oil rig off the stern that is following them. Below the illustration is a reminder of the procedures that fishermen are advised to follow should their gear become snagged on a pipeline. Information about compensation claims is also given.

The fatal accident involving MV Westhaven in 1997 reinforced the necessity for the offshore oil and gas and fishing industries to work closely together to promote safety at sea, said John Wils, UKOOAs Director of Operation and Technical Affairs. Whilst it is not illegal to fish in the vicinity of pipelines, fishermen need to be aware of the dangers which are, tragically, all too apparent.

By highlighting the actions to be taken if snagging occurs, the information campaign aims to prevent incidents from escalating to a point where lives are put at risk.

The campaign also highlights the message that the Industry will give sympathetic consideration to compensation claims, should it be subsequently confirmed that gear was snagged on a pipeline or other oil-related debris.

The cartoon will be distributed to over 2,500 vessels via Seafish and the national fishermens federations.

Michael Sutherland of the Scottish Fishermens Federation (SFF) said: We welcome this initiative. The cartoon is a simple yet effective means of getting the message across to all fishermen.

We have long supported any avenue which creates awareness of subsea installations, said Dave Bevan of the National Federation of Fishing Organisations (NFFO). A little lightheartedness does not go amiss but should not detract from the serious consequences that can occur.

Note to Editors

* THE CARTOON IS AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT WHICH CAN BE E-MAILED TO YOU ON REQUEST.

* The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its 32 member companies are licensed by Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

* Fishermens Compensation Fund

The UKOOA Fishermens Compensation Fund was established in 1974 and is administered on behalf of the Industry by a management committee selected solely by the fishing organisations.

Compensation is restricted to lost or damaged gear, loss of fishing time or damage to a vessel caused by oil-related debris which cannot be attributed to a particular Operator.

Where debris can be identified as resulting from the operations of a particular oil company or its contractors, the oil company may have a moral, if not legal, responsibility to compensate a fisherman for any loss incurred.

Since 1989, £1.79 million has been paid out in compensation to fishermen through the Fund.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.