East Coast fishermen have been chosen as the first in the UK to receive a free damage control kit and special training in how to save their boat and their lives if they start taking on water.
Twenty five skippers attended the pioneering damage control course this week at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club in Bridlington. The course is being run by Seafish, the seafood industry authority, in conjunction with Yorkshire and Humber Fishermen's Training Association.
The Seafish course involves learning about the importance of regular vessel maintenance and the key steps that should be taken when fishing vessels start taking on water.
The damage control kit contains key tools including a waterproof flashlight, an axe and saw to cut wood and chop wedges, a screwdriver and a lump hammer to drive in wedges. Also included are stainless steel hose clamps, wooden wedges, twine, cable ties and a tarpaulin for fothering (blocking a hole from the outside of the vessel). Some items need to be added by the fishermen such as tapered wooden plugs and a valve wheel extension as they are unique to each vessel. Ancillary items include duct tape, epoxy sealant and grease tape all housed in a large watertight box and clearly labelled 'Damage Control'.
Course designer, Seafish Training Advisor Keir Day said: “Flooding onboard vessels is a big issue. Statistics released by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in 2009 show that 52% of all fishing vessel losses, as well as many onboard incidents, are caused by flooding. Many of these accidents occur on vessels under 12m. However, little is taught to fishermen on how to actually help prevent them from sinking once water has started to enter their vessel.”
“Proper, regular maintenance can help to avoid accidents. But saving a vessel once it has started to flood comes down both to having knowledge of damage control measures and having the right equipment to hand. The Seafish course addresses all of these issues and demonstrates how a fisherman might save his boat - indeed his life - if an incident occurs,” he added.
Any skipper of a vessel under 16.5m who attends the Seafish damage control course during 2009 will receive the free damage control kit, thanks to funding from Seafish, the MCA and the Shipowners' Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association. Seafish are hoping to run as many damage control courses in 2009 as funding permits.
