Health & safety - Brixham Trawler race is no more.

It’s described by the organisers as the end of an era. The high point of the year for the English port of Brixham – the annual trawler race – will no longer be taking place.

The 2019 Trawler Race was the last one in a tradition that goes back more than fifty years and which has proved an enduringly popular event, with visitors coming from all over the South-West of England, as well as a regular number of dedicated visitors to the port over that June weekend coming from many parts of Europe.

A charity event dedicated to raising funds for local charities and activities, the Trawler Race this year raised £24,000.

‘This will, sadly, remain an unbroken record as there will be no future Trawler Races,’ the organisers state.

It has always been a lively June weekend for Brixham, with crowds gathering on the quaysides as the fleet leaves the harbour for its laps around Torbay. As the fleet returns, lining up at the quays as the barbecues on the decks and the sound systems are broken out, the party gets going and this has traditionally continued well into the night.

The Trawler Race’s organisers have stated that increasing Health and Safety legislation requirements are the reason for the event’s demise.

‘It is no longer possible to legally run the race. It has been impossible to comply with newly imposed constraints and regulations,’ the committee announced.

‘The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers, skippers, crews and owners of the vessels who have generously given their time and attention over generations to make race days such notable events for some fifty-five years. We would also like to thank the tens of thousands of people and organisations who have supported the race.’

MFV Sarah Jayne sinks - one crew missing

A major search was under way this afternoon after a trawler sank off Berry Head.

BM249 Sarah Jayne rigged for scalloping

One fisherman was said to be missing while two others were rescued by another vessel. They were brought ashore by helicopter and were recovering at torbay Hospital.
MCA Press release issued at 1330

Local fishing boats, lifeboats and merchant ships search for the missing fisherman from the Sarah Jayne

Torbay and Exmouth lifeboats were at sea searching the area. Other fishing boats from Brixham were scouring the area in the hope of finding the missing man.

The Betty G II and the Sparkling Star III were among the fishing boats taking part in the search late this afternoon.

Other boats including the Sasha Emiel put out from Brixham around 4pm to join in the search.

The capsized boat has been identified as the Sarah Jayne, a 49 foot beam trawler. It is believed to be registered in Exmouth but may have been working out of Brixham.

The RNLI confirmed that the search was taking place two and a half miles east of Berry Head.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight was making its way to the scene as the search continued.

The Coastguard helicopter from Portland was also involved in the operation, searching the area where the trawler went down.

Brixham Coastguard first picked up a distress alert from the fishing vessel Girl Rhona at 11:24am, informing them that another fishing vessel had capsized 2.5 miles off Berry Head and they had managed to retrieve two of the three fishermen from the water.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "The Coastguard Rescue helicopter was scrambled from Portland and the Torbay RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch.

"A Mayday broadcast was put out to shipping in the area and a number of vessels including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight have offered assistance in the search currently being coordinated by Brixham Coastguard."

The capsized vessel is a 15m beam trawler operating out of Brixham.

Story courtesy of ThisIsSouthDevon.co.uk

Fishstock Brixham 2011

 FOUR WEEKS TO GO! - if you happen to be up in you'm we'm land (South Devon that is) make a beeline for Brixham's big fish fest of its own.

Tension is mounting and the crew are getting very excited as plans start to gel for this year’s Seafood and Music Celebration of the fishing industry and maritime heritage of Brixham, with the aim to raise much-needed funds for the Fishermen’s Mission. With only 3 weeks to go ‘til Saturday 10th September, festival committee chairman and local fishing industry spokesman, Jim Portus revealed some of the tempting details of the one-day extravaganza that transforms the new Fish Market Hall into an exhibition centre and the Quayside into Seafood Cookery Kitchens of the highest quality.

Speaking after the penultimate meeting of the organising team, Jim said, “We seem to have most of the ducks-in-line for a great late-summer day out for all the family in this jewel-in-the-crown of Torbay that is Brixham. “Stagecoach SW will be running Park & Ride buses all day and to Midnight from Churston Park & Ride Car Park to the Town Centre, so there’s no need to worry about congestion! Why not take the Ferry from Torquay, with Greenway Ferry & Pleasure Cruises or Western Lady Ferries? “We have a team of Brixham chefs, including Rob Bateman, Andy Sewell, Gordon Gout and Simone Cook whose Fishstock Brixham Piazza this year is sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors. Visitors can expect the finest local fresh fish cooked to perfection al-fresco under the Kitsons Marquees. Brixham Sea Farms and River Teign Shellfish will provide the Mussels. Blue Sea Food Co, Really Interesting Crab Co and the Potted Crab Co will provide the crabs. Members of SWFPO and SWIFA will provide the fish and scallops.

What a treat! “South Devon College chefs will take turns offering seafood cookery lessons throughout the day to local Primary School children in the Yeovil College Feast-Bus. The children will learn how to handle, prepare and cook deliciously simple seafood dishes that their parents will sample at the end of each class session. We are proud of the Berry Head Hotel, Ashfords’ Solicitors and the Billingsgate Seafood Training School for sponsoring this great facility. Also the S D College students will be running a Devon Cream Teas area where the public can relax and enjoy traditional scones and tea under the Y.E.S. Marquee, next to the Acoustic performers stage.

Ady Delaney and John Charlton from Eat Right UK will also provide children with hands-on food preparation sessions, as will Felicity Sylvester and the Brilliant Fish team. “Intoto Kitchens and Castle’s Kitchens have again provided us with wonderful cooking facilities that the team from Sound Events (Exeter) will turn into “Live Theatre Kitchens” with Plasma Screens to aid public enjoyment of the Chefs’ demonstrations. Richard Hunt (The Grand Hotel), David Jones (Manna from Devon), David Galpin (S D College), Russell Goodwin (Occombe Farm), Andy Sewell (Quayside Hotel) and Felicity Sylvester (Brilliant Fish) are the seafood specialist chefs booked to appear and to do “Ready Steady Cook” style demonstrations. Duncan & Sue Lucas (Passionate about Fish) will show-off their fish-mongering knife skills. Moshi Moshi Japanese Sushi chefs make a welcome return. Ian Perkes, Roberts Fisheries and Dave Walker will put on Fresh Fish displays for you to buy-to-try the recipes you will see demonstrated.

“Fishing boats, young and old and of all varieties will be on show, thanks to owners Dave Langdon, Alex Philip, Nick Bright, Ginger Wright, plus the Vigilance and Pilgrim Trusts. Also alongside will be the STS Stavros S Niarchos and the all-weather RNLI Torbay Lifeboat. These fine vessels will be complemented with marine and maritime heritage displays, sponsored by Astra Zeneca from MCA Receiver of Wrecks, RN Fisheries Protection Squadron, Marine Management Organisation, Millennium Marine Divers, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust and many more. “The children will have plenty to see and do while Mum & Dad & Grandparents too enjoy the Seafood & Music. Melody the Mystic Mermaid will tell her tales of life under the ocean waves, Play Torbay will provide face painting, colouring and craft, Funtasia Bouncy Galleon and Tea-Cup have rides for fun, Maya Plass provides a Learn to Sea experience (as seen on BBC Countryfile). Birdline Parrot Rescue will have some of their magnificent birds on show.

“This year’s music and dance line-up is simply fantastic, with such local bands as M.I.U., Slytherin and Blue Tattoo. Paddy’s Whiskers perform a lunchtime set after a warm-up session by the fabulous Port Isaac Fishermen’s Friends, who are staging a concert in the evening in Brixham at All saints’ Church in aid of the Fishing in Sculptural Heritage (F.I.S.H.) Fund. After the cooking show and through the evening there will be lots more music to Midnight with Ashbird, Morning Rush, The Morrisons, The Normals and culminating in The Blues Brothers Collective. “There’s an acoustic stage for those who like to relax with their Pint or glass of wine. Philip Henry and Hannah Martin open the show, there are sets by Maggie Duffy & Mike Weed, Southern Comfort and Dave Johnson. Shanties by The Old Gaffers and Swashbuckle, folk music from Kaeravel and the beautiful sounds of Welsh singer Lisa Angharad, the face of S4C Wales. “Those who like dancers to entertain we have the Beats of Polynesia troupe from London, who have a close connection with Brixham. Kalash ATS Belly dancers are back by popular request! Brixham’s Bollywood Belles will also provide workshops. Cats Eye Morris and Shuffle the Deck Clog dancers round-off a packed bill of music and dance to delight all.

“It’s all for the Fishermen’s Mission. It’s all for only £5 per person, accompanied under 15s FREE. There’s plenty of hot food and drink provided by carefully selected concessions, including vegetarian options. (It’s not all fish!) Bay’s Brewery and the Crown & Anchor provide a bar service, plus fine wines and ciders. There really is no better way to end the summer holidays than to spend the day and evening too at Brixham Fish Market on Saturday 10th September at Fishstock Brixham 2011. Gates open at 10am. The shows start at 11am. The last band finishes and the bars close at Midnight! ENDS.

Fishstock Brixham 2011 E-mail mail@fishstockbrixham.co.uk Website www.fishstockbrixham.co.uk Tel: Jim: 07860542071 Dale: 07816513934 Karen: 01752690950