Evolution of safety in the UK fishing industry

The British fishing industry plays a significant role in national and global assuring food security and is part of the tradition and tapestry of our nation. For centuries fishing has been vital to coastal communities, providing employment and supporting local economies. However, the industry faces increasing challenges due to factors such as increasingly congested and contested seas, increased regulation, skills shortages, and, of course, the demands of operating at sea.

There is a popular narrative that fishing is one of the most hazardous occupations. This perception does little to acknowledge the significant work that has been achieved and is still ongoing to improve the safety of fishers.  There will always be dangers associated with working at sea none more so than the vagaries of the weather which can still catch us out, but other hazards can be identified, and the risks managed so that we can operate as safely as possible to make sure that our dedicated and skilled crew can return safely home after each trip.

History of safety in the industry

In the early years of fishing, safety regulations were minimal, and fishermen had to rely on their own experience, skills, and equipment to protect themselves. As such, accidents and deaths were common.

In 1952, the UK government introduced the ‘Safety at Sea Act’ to establish safety provisions for fishing vessels, this included regulations for life-saving appliances, navigation lights, communication equipment, and more.

However, in 1968 a series of incidents that occurred, known as the ‘Hull Triple Trawler Tragedy’, resulted in the loss of three fishing vessels from the port of Hull and claimed the lives of 58 fishermen. Tragic events which highlighted several safety concerns in the UK fishing industry, that still needed to be addressed.

It was discovered that outdated and inadequate safety equipment, insufficient training, and the pressure to maximise catches were contributing factors to the accidents. The ‘Hull Triple Trawler Tragedy’ also sparked public outrage and demands for improved safety regulations and safer practices, which prompted significant regulatory changes and improvements to safety standards.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, continued improvements were made to the fishing industry to further enhance crew safety. The establishment of the ‘Marine Accident Investigation Branch’ in 1989 aimed to investigate accidents and provide recommendations for preventing future incidents. This was followed by the introduction of the ‘Fishing Vessel (Safety Provisions and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations in 1998’, which sought to improve safety standards and ensure the use of adequate safety equipment.

How we keep our employees safe at NAFCO

At North Atlantic, the safety and well-being of our people is our first priority. We always work to ensure that we have effective training, certification, risk assessment, safe systems of work, and PPE to ensure we are providing a safe working environment.

In 2020/2021 we started implementing a new safety management system, which is based on the International Safety Management (ISM) standard. The processes on board as well as the rules and procedures are recorded in a manual, the contents of which are discussed with the ship’s officers.

Based on a baseline measurement, it is determined which common procedures on the board the vessel differ from the procedures as described in the safety management system. After several trips, compliance onboard with the safety management system is assessed – our goal is to have assessments twice a year involving both the ship’s officers and crew members.

As well as this, all our crew members have their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and perform frequent safety drills. We monitor that PPE for our seafarers meets the safety requirements set and that the PPE is used and is replaced in good time. In 2021, a new type of helmet was introduced, this innovative helmet has a better fit, is lighter, and has several ventilation holes so that it is comfortable even in hot weather – above all it offers high-level protection.

At North Atlantic, we are continuously working to ensure the safety of our people by implementing the latest technology, providing training, and keeping up with changing laws and regulations relating to safety.

Future of safety in the industry

The UK fishing industry has continued to evolve and progress towards a safer working environment. In recent decades, there has been a greater emphasis on training and education for fishermen regarding safety practices, emergency response, and survival techniques, making it far safer.

Although risks persist, significant steps have been taken to protect the well-being of fishermen and vastly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in this demanding industry.

North Atlantic continues to provide effective safety procedures onboard, adhere to regulations, and continue to evolve safer fishing practices.