Could You Survive at Sea? RNLI Encourages Boat Fishing Crews To Attend Lifesaving Event

Fishermen across Cornwall are being urged to partake in a crucial safety training following a harrowing realisation by a crew member about the perils of falling overboard.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) alongside The Seafish Industry Authority is set to hold a Man Overboard (MOB) Awareness Course. This vital training is scheduled at the T3 Aberdeen Survival Centre on 8 May 2024.

Terrifying Testimonials Spark Action

The course is a response to a wake-up call received by participants during earlier sessions, particularly Colin, a skipper who has firsthand experience of the dangers at sea. “I’m glad I’ve done it because if I hadn’t then I would have never realised just how serious it can get,” Colin recounted. His shocking discovery of how quickly a situation can turn fatal without a personal floatation device (PFD) has been a catalyst for this campaign.

A Life-Saving Experience

Attendees of the course will undergo a simulated man overboard situation in cold, choppy waters to fully comprehend the severity of such incidents. This hands-on experience aims to drive home the importance of always wearing a lifejacket and understanding recovery techniques. “All the guys I work with, no matter where they come from, said the course was the best they had ever done,” Colin added, emphasizing the profound impact of these drills on their awareness and preparedness.

The Grim Reality of Sea Fishing

Frankie Horne, RNLI’s Commercial Fishing Safety Manager, highlighted the longstanding commitment of the RNLI, which has been aiding fishing crews for over two centuries. “In 2023, RNLI lifeboat volunteers launched to commercial fishing vessels 272 times, saving 13 lives,” Frankie noted, underlining the ongoing risks in the fishing industry. He stressed the lifesaving potential of wearing lifejackets, which can quadruple survival chances in cold water.

Frankie also advised on the regular maintenance of safety gear: “We would recommend regular checks of your lifejackets to ensure it is in working order and that lifejackets are serviced as per the manufacturers’ guidelines by a qualified service agent.”

Join the Lifesaving League

With only 20 spots available, urgency in registration is paramount. Interested individuals are encouraged to secure their place. To book, please contact Lee Haigh on lee.haigh@seafish.co.uk or Katie Hopper on katie.hopper@seafish.co.uk. More details on this essential training can be found at the RNLI’s dedicated safety page.

A Call for Preparedness at Sea

This course not only offers critical survival skills but also serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of sea fishing. For fishermen, being equipped with the right knowledge and tools is not just a regulatory measure—it could mean the difference between life and death.