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Saturday 7 December 2019

Fathom podcast number 2 - we're talking safety at sea!

The second Fathom podcast on safety at sea in the local fishing industry threw up some challenges for inshore fishermen who now have a legal requirement (ILO 88) under expected to wear pfds while they are at sea.

Crewman Luke Selvey talks about an incident from earlier this year when a fellow crewman aboard the Brixham beam trawler Emilia Jayne was plucked from the water wearing a pfd in weather conditions that, should he not have been wearing one, would certainly have cost him his life. 

Working space on the cramped deck of the Nazarene - where pfds proved uncomfortable and restrictive.

However, Porthlevener Jeremy Hosking, skipper of the inshore crabber Nazarene would happily have his crew and himself wear a pfd but in his words, "We can't physically do our job with it (pfd) on"! Not for the first time has legislation been brought in without sufficient research having been done as to the suitability of the equipment. Given that the new legislation concerning the wearing of such safety gear now affects thousands of fishermen in the UK and potentially millions worldwide you would like to think that a manufacturer will finally get to grips with this challenge and come up with a practicable pfd for seafarers working in confined spaces. It will make them loads of money and save hundreds of lives!

The new ILO 188 encompasses a new set of rules and regulations fishermen have to follow, but what does it mean when it has to be put in to practice on the water? Fathom is here to help fishermen find out.

Stelissa crew all wear pfds when landing on the quayside.
Also in this episode, the team speak to NFFO's Safety Adviser and Safety Folder Founder, Robert Greenwood and Clive Palfrey Cornwall's Fishing Safety Adviser about where ILO 188 came from, what the safety folder is how it can help make fishermen safer and what drills and risk assessments fishermen need to be doing by law. They also speak to the Skipper and the Owner of the Cornish fishing vessel Stelissa about their innovative approaches to safety on board.



Helpful links:
Risk assessments
Safety Folder
ILO 188
Fishing Safety Adviser (Cornwall)
Seafish Training Providers

Social Media
Fathom
Ryan Davey (Skipper of Stelissa)
Luke Selvey
SCT Training

Funders
Seafarers UK
MMO 


Friday 6 December 2019

Chefs galore at Padstow's 12th Christmas Festival - not to be missed!



It's that time of year when Cornwall's most popular chefs wend their way to the fishing port of Padstow for the annual Christmas Festival - music a-plenty, Christmas markets and a dazzling array of cheffery drawn from what looks like a Who's Who of the UK's finest fish chefs - all under one roof! 

You can bet your bottom dollar that most of the fish being baked, fried, poached and grilled has been landed within the last few hours from boats fishing from all the Cornish ports!


Turn up and choose your chef from the list which also includes award winning chefs like Jude Kereama from Porthleven and Bruce Rennie whose restaurant The Shore has just been voted best restaurant in the South West by this year's Trenchermen's Guide!

#FishyFriday in Newlyn.



Thursday morning saw the Cornishman head to the fish market to land... 


then in the afternoon the hake netter Ajax was in with her first trip following her re-engine and refit...




handliners arrive at all times of the day...



and so on to another very dark #FishyFriday morning...



with the inshore boats still catching plenty of rays...


while the Ajax...


landed a good sized run of hake...



and a handful of dogfish...



some take dogs for a walk while others prefer less demanding boxes...



good to see the boats donating boxes of fish towards the cost of the Christmas lights...



a late season Mediterranean octopus...



along with some St Ives herring...



and handline mackerel...



meanwhile the Stelissa took advantage of a high water landing direct to the fish market...



just ahead of the Joy of Ladram...



skipper Ryan setting the example...



as he and his crew all wear pfds these days...



seems that Brixham's black gold not so abundant these days...



scarping those rocky outcrops always produces a few of these slippery characters...



good to see young George has a market for these spiny creatures...



it is still surprising that many of the boats do not cut out monk cheeks given how many monk are landed in Newlyn...



bass back on the menu again, no doubt at a certain Mr Outlaw's restaurant at Port Isaac...



buyers busy buying...



not so many discards today...



but oodles of hake for tomorrow!


Thursday 5 December 2019

Seafarers UK new manifesto.

Seafarers UK has been championing seafarers working at sea since 1917. We support seafarers throughout their seafaring career: from first considering a career at sea, to working at sea, managing relationships at home while adapting to a seagoing life, then coming ashore and during retirement.



Working at sea can be a lonely and dangerous profession. At Seafarers UK we recognise the unique challenges seafarers endure. We want to ensure that although seafarers are far out at sea, they, and their families, are supported; particularly in times of need. Seafarers UK achieves the objects of our Royal Charter by campaigning and providing grant funding to partners to deliver welfare and support services to seafarers and their families which help them to thrive and live their best lives.

Our ten point manifesto for seafarers sets out our aspirations for seafarers’ safety and welfare before, during and after their seafaring career. In partnership with others, Seafarers UK will use its grant funding and advocate on behalf of seafarers so that all seafarers can:


  • Be kept safe and return from their seafaring voyages without experiencing accident or harm
  • Be supported to train and develop careers working at sea
  • Take care of their families and dependants during long periods away from home
  • Feel less lonely or isolated when working at sea, through maintaining connections with family and friends ashore, as well as having access to on board initiatives
  • Access free, high quality welfare services, which respond to seafarers and their families’ needs with respect and dignity and engage their views on the design and development of services
  • Access independent advice, information and support via their preferred delivery channels such as face-to-face, telephone, web chat, digital tools, social media or self-help literature
  • Be provided with regular welfare breaks in respect of hours of work, shore leave, length of journey, etc. in order to reduce fatigue and to maintain their health and wellbeing
  • Thrive and have their uniqueness respected within a culturally diverse working environment without fear of bullying or harassment. This includes equality of opportunity and respecting language, food, religion, and behavioural differences
  • Transition from sea to shore. This includes supporting the provision of accommodation and other welfare and support services aimed at adjusting from working at sea
  • Obtain dignity in retirement through access to financial security, appropriate accommodation and a network of support from maritime welfare charities.
  • Seafarers UK is a leading grant funder of charitable services supporting the safety and welfare needs of seafarers and their families. Every year over £2m is awarded in grant funding to a range of different partners delivering services to support seafarers and their families when in stormy seas.


Through providing grant funding to organisations, Seafarers UK achieves its Royal Charter objects to support:


  • The relief of seafarers, their families or dependents, who are in need.
  • The education and training of people of any age to prepare for work or service at sea.
  • The promotion of the efficiency and effectiveness of the maritime charitable sector within the Commonwealth.
  • The promotion of safety at sea.
  • There are many ways you can help us to achieve our aspirations to support the safety and welfare of seafarers:



Donate


Fundraise


Campaign


Become our corporate supporter

Wednesday 4 December 2019

Busy mid-week fish market in Newlyn.


Just some of the thousand plus boxes landed on the market for this morning's market...



like these inshore John Dory...


undulate ray...


with their mysterious markings...


both types of ray that sport spots but which is which?..


some tagged line caught bass...


more meaty ray wings...


the odd big monk tail...


and the spotted and not so sotted plaice...


the inevitable dose of haddock...


and much more for tomorrow's market... 


the odd ling still finds ts way into people's nets...



while the St Ives boys continue to enjoy heavy mackerel fishing again...


staple diet for beam trawlers, monk fish...


a big beautiful line caught and tagged bass...


ready for packing...


as another handline fisherman heads out of the gaps...




Le Men Dhu one step closer to being ready for sea.