Launch of €3m scheme to help fishermen upgrade safety gear
Junior Fisheries Minister Sean Connick formally launched the scheme as air, sea and coastline searches continued for two men reported missing from a small dinghy off the Waterford coast.
Mr Connick said he is only too aware of the pain and suffering that is caused to the families and coastal communities as a result of accidents at sea.
“We were unfortunately reminded of the dangers of the sea again with the news of the accident off Helvick Head on Sunday,” he said.
Mr Connick said it is imperative that everything possible is done to prevent further accidents and especially casualties. “One of these preventative measures includes ensuring our fishing fleet is operating to the best safety standards.”
The delivery of the new scheme, which Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) will administer, is projected to provide up to €3 million of funding over the next five years, subject to budgetary provisions.
In addition to fishing boats, the scheme also provides for the purchase of on-board safety equipment for registered vessels used for sea angling and other forms of marine tourism.
Mr Connick said the scheme will enable up to 800 vessels to modernise their safety equipment to further protect fishing crew.
“However, it is not enough to have a modern vessel. All skippers and crew must complete basic safety training and I would encourage all fishermen, who have not already done so, to contact BIM to complete their safety training without delay,” he said.
BIM chairwoman Rose McHugh said the package will help fishermen in these difficult times to modernise their vessels in line with safety standards which will ultimately help to save lives at sea.
lApplications and details on the Fleet Safety Scheme and three other schemes under the Sea Fisheries Development Programme are available from www.bim.ie.
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