Welsh vessel owners have an extra month to apply for discounted Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs).
All fishermen are likely to be required by the end of the year to wear PFDs on deck to comply with the International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention (ILO 188), and the use of Personal Location Beacons (PLBs), or equivalent, is also expected to become mandatory for small fishing vessels in October 2019 under the Small Fishing Vessel Code of Practice (MSN 1871).
To ensure all vessel owners are ready for the change the Welsh Fishing Safety Committee, supported by Seafish, has extended the window to apply for heavily-discounted PFDs to enable as many Welsh fishermen as possible to own this vital piece of safety equipment.
‘You only have one chance in this life,’ said Welsh Fishing Safety Committee Brett Garner, urging vessel owners to take advantage of the offer.
‘There is no second chance. Think of your family; don’t end up feeding the fish.’
The Welsh Fishing Safety Committee is currently offering the latest PFD with in-built PLB for the subsidised cost of £15, a saving of over £300 on the normal RRP.
The deadline to apply for this equipment has been extended until the Saturday 30 June, giving owners of active, Welsh-registered commercial fishing vessels an extra month to obtain this equipment for their skipper and crew.
Since the project launched in April, more than 200 applicants have applied for 450 PLBs, showing strong demand in such a short space of time.
‘Fishermen are five times more likely to survive an overboard incident when wearing a PFD, yet over 95% of UK fishermen still aren’t wearing them,’ said Seafish Wales Manager Dr Holly Whiteley.
‘If the new legislation comes into force as expected, wearing a PFD will no longer be a choice, so we urge vessel owners to take advantage of this opportunity to access this life saving piece of kit for just £15.’
Owners of active, Welsh-registered commercial fishing vessels can apply for a grant-aided PFD with integrated PLB by visiting theSeafish website;and downloading the application form. Forms can also be requested directly from Seafish by calling 0131 524 8602 before the 30th of June.
This opportunity has been made possible by funding received from the Welsh Government and from Seafarers UK, a charity that has been helping people in the maritime community for a hundred years.
