Fishing Vessel Safety Study

A research project published in 2007 showed that the fatal accident rate for UK fishermen for the decade 1996-2005 was 115 times higher than that of the general workforce in Great Britain. When compared to specific areas of other work, it was 81 times higher than in manufacturing and 24 times higher than the construction industry, which is often considered the most hazardous occupation in the UK.

Alarmingly, while the fatal accident rate for almost all other UK occupations had fallen sharply over the last 30 years, there had been no discernible reduction in the fishing industry.

The results of this research project prompted the MAIB to conduct the Safety Study. Covering the years 1992-2006, it has analysed all 256 deaths of commercial fishermen operating on UK-registered fishing vessels, with a view to identifying causal and contributing factors, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. In accordance with the principles of the MAIB, the study does not apportion blame, but is solely focussed on future safety.

In addition to detailed analysis of the MAIB database and investigation reports, the study team has conducted extensive interviews and collected contributions from all sectors of the industry including: fishermen, agents, fishing federations and organisations, MCA, insurers, Seafish, RNLI, and foreign administrations. All comment within the report is based upon a consistency of views from across the industry, tested against the MAIB's own experience.

While there is a downward trend in fatalities during the earlier years of the study, there is then an upward trend from 2002 to 2006. However, Stephen Meyer Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents believes that this just confirms that, statistically, the absolute numbers are too low to accurately discern year-on-year trends. Thus the only full year since the period under review, there were only eight UK fishermen killed, which he says cannot be taken as a sign that there has been a sudden significant improvement in safety.

A number of actions have been taken by responsible authorities during the course of the study and recommendations have been made in the study to build on those actions already in hand. The study as a whole is offered as a contribution to the important work that must urgently be pursued to bring the accident rate in the fishing industry down to a level that is acceptable in the 21st Century United Kingdom.

The study can be downloaded from http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/safety_studies/fishing_vessel_safety_study.cfm