We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS launched a major safety plan for Ireland’s fishermen in a bid to stem the number of fatalities in the industry.
Fishermen will be able to apply for grants for buy personal locator beacons, auto pilot alarms and wireless engine cut offs, which will help to raise the alarm and provide some level of safety in the event of any incident at sea.
“It is about learning from past tragedies and saving lives in the future,” said Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.
In the most recent fishing tragedy in Irish waters three brothers died during a fishing expedition off the coast of Waterford last month.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is providing €800,000 over the next three years to fund the scheme, which is the first ever national maritime safety strategy. The Government is also establishing a new high level working group on safety in the fishing industry which will report back to Minister Coveney and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar on recommendations on fishing vessel safety before the end of the year.
The scheme was launched in Union Hall in Cork where five fishermen died after their trawler, the Tit Bonhomme, sank near Glandore Harbour in January last year.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said that more effort must be made to prevent people from dying at sea.
“The bottom line is that we can pass any law we like, but if it is not enforced and we do not have a culture of zero tolerance in regard to non-compliance, we will continue to lose loved ones at sea in the coming years,” he said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I have been on numerous boats over the years and was always looked at as if I am insane when I asked for a life jacket. With one exception who doesn’t let you near his boat without one on. This guy is also on our local lifeboat crew and obviously knows what can happen. Yesterday I have seen a father carrying his two little girls into his kayak, without life vests anywhere, and then embarking for a nice paddle into a massive tidal stream and over to a sandbank. Insane. Neither the father nor the girls would have had the slightest chance if the boat capsized
Most fishermen dont bother with life jackets or learn to swim because a life jacket will not save you at 4am 10 miles off the shoreline as the cold will kill you in 20 mins. I welcome these measures but unfortunately the fishermen know more about their safety than anyone else. Fishing is dangerous. Fishermen accept this.
4am, 10 miles off-shore, dead after 20 mins, is the worst case scenario. People have survived much longer and a helicopter can be there in 10mins. Let’s see if modern technique can make it less dangerous for fishermen. However, a life vest is the minimum requirement. It is also the law
Having worked on a trawler for a while I can tell you that no one wears life jackets on them as it would be so impractical especially under a shelter deck.
You will drown in less than a minute. Taking 20 minutes to die is a hard choice. Again fishermen know best when it comes to their own safety. Its called experience, you cant buy it, not even in a sale.
I saw people in boats in galwsy yesterday, not a life jacket to be seen.
tsk tsk tsk
Skerries harbour……. Great place for a few pints on a sunny Sunday!
Am in wexford at the moment. The risks i See people take in the harbour here are astonishing. A licence system for small craft is needed. Too many Celtic tiger cubs With dangerous toys.
The latest fishing tragedy was of the cost of Waterford not Wexford.
Apologies Kevin, that mistake slipped through and has been fixed now.
No problem, these things happen to the best of us. :)
They’re setting up a safety net to help fishermen?
I know a lot of fishermen who wear life jackets my kids aren’t allowed set foot on there dads boat without one and now its a safety requirement.
have your say