As in previous years, safety will be the main theme at the Hook Marine stand (B 22) at Fishing 2009.
It is well known that fishing is a dangerous industry, and the majority of fatalities at sea occur when the vessel sinks. Sinking is associated with a reduction in vessel stability, which can happen in one of two ways.
Slow stability loss can occur when a fishing boat is overloaded by means of water ingress, ice build-up, or the addition of weight above deck. The effect of water in a hold, engine room, or on deck can be particularly dangerous, since water will flow to one side of the vessel, producing the so-called 'free surface effect'.
Hook Marine has been addressing this problem in recent years, and has, through a programme of model testing and full-scale trials, developed an instrument which will reliably track changes in the vessel’s stability while at sea.
The company will be showing the SeaWise™ Stability Monitor on its stand, and provisional orders will be accepted for delivery later this year.
Stability data recorded during time at sea will be displayed on a SeaWise™ demonstration unit, enabling visitors to see the type of output which will be available onboard.
Sudden stability loss can come about through attempts to lift an over-heavy load from the water, or through efforts to free snagged nets from the seabed. Hook Marine’s award-winning Kranskan™ Crane Safety Indicator can be used to safeguard a vessel against these hazards, utilising the cut-out option to release the crane or winch in order to avoid capsize.
