A SAFETY video has been launched urging people on fishing vessels to stay safe.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has released figures showing 88 people were killed in deck machinery incidents on fishing vessels around the UK in the past five years.

The video has received support from Weymouth.

Lyle Stantiford (CORR), a former commercial fisherman and volunteer crew member at Weymouth lifeboat station, said: “I know just how demanding and dangerous commercial fishing can be, especially in rough conditions throughout the winter months. All fishing crew should be fully trained on the equipment they are using and regular risk assessments should be carried out to spot hazards and dangers on deck.

“This new safety video is approximately six minutes long and features interviews with a range of fishing safety experts and victims of deck machinery accidents.”

RNLI lifeboats in the South West launched 61 times to commercial fishing-related incidents in 2015, and rescued 94 people.

As well as encouraging skippers and vessel owners to apply for funding through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to help replace older, more dangerous deck machinery on their boats, the RNLI is encouraging fishermen to take extra care on deck – with a new safety video being released in partnership with Seafish.

Data released by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) shows that four fishermen tragically lost their lives in deck machinery incidents from 1 January 2011 to 10 November 2015, with a further 84 injuries being suffered by commercial fishing crew.

Jamie Griffin, a former fisherman from the Isle of Man, was the victim of a serious deck machinery incident in 2013 when he lost his arm after becoming tangled in a winch while operating the drum end. Jamie’s hard-hitting story is featured in the new safety video.

He said: ‘The day of the accident was just like any other day’s fishing, until somehow I got tangled in the winch. I tried to free myself, but I couldn’t. As a result, I lost my left arm and seriously damaged the other. I also suffered eight broken ribs and a punctured lung.

“Deck machinery can be really dangerous, especially older equipment. Extra care should be taken while operating it and I’d encourage all fishermen to watch this new safety film.”

The EMFF grant funding to replace older, more dangerous deck machinery is available for fishermen to apply for in England and Scotland.

To view the safety video, and to find out more about how to apply for an EMFF grant, visit RNLI.org/DeckMachinery

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