Fishermen to receive compulsory safety training

Irish fishermen will undergo compulsory safety training for the first time.

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Frank Fahey has introduced legislation to facilitate the plan. Some 4,000 fishermen will be involved.

The training programme will cover all aspects of basic safety at sea and compel fishermen to wear lifejackets at all times while working on deck, either at sea or in port. They will receive training in firefighting, man overboard recovery techniques and learn how to swim.

Each fisherman will have to undergo three days of training organised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara at venues around the coast.

In the past two years, the coastguard has had to help between 300 and 400 fishing vessels every year.