MARCH 2018 THE SKIPPER News 1110 News THE SKIPPER MARCH 2018

On the 10th February 1958 five men on-board the Killybegs based trawler, the ‘Jack Buchan’ lost their lives in a tragic event which marked both their homeport and the people of Dunmore East, Co Waterford.

Sixty-years on from that fateful Monday afternoon the memory of what unfolded still lives strong in the minds of those who bore witness to the events of that afternoon and the desperate heart-breaking aftermath..

On board that day was skipper George Buchan (40) a married father of five, James Anthony White (24) who was just married nine-months before, John Byrne (35) a single man, Donnchadh Mac Laifeartaigh (45) – a father of three children and a youthful seventeen-year-old Benny Armstrong.

A sixth crewman 24-year-old John James Lyons was swept from the deck by a huge breaker but managed to grab a fish basket and was hauled to safety on the ‘Mairead’.

A seventh man, Frances Cunningham, 19, had stayed on shore to drive a car belonging to his brother to Waterford. His brother was on-board the ‘Mairead’.

Peter Power was a twenty-year-old member of the Dunmore East Cliff Rescue and a also a witness to the events that occurred that day.

Peter recalls the ‘Jack Buchan’, or the ‘John Buchan’ as the boat known locally, leaving Dunmore East Harbour to make her way up the estuary for shelter.

Earlier in the day the crew had been passing the afternoon in the Power’s family bar when skipper George Buchan called in to tell his men that they were going to have to move the boat.

All morning the south coast had been lashed by a furious 100km-an-hour gale and the boats tied at the harbour were in danger of getting damaged. At around 3.30pm some boat owners had made the decision to seek shelter further up the Waterford estuary.

Three boats decided to make the trip together; the ‘Jack Buchan’ the ‘Mairead’, skippered by

Killybegs man Tommy Watson and Arklow trawler, ‘Ros Aoibhinn’, skippered by Eddie Hickey.

Out of the crew on the ‘Jack Buchan’, Mac Laifeartaigh, White and Byrne went below to make tea while young Benny Armstrong and John James Lyons remained on deck.

Peter Power recalls watching Lyons working with ropes on the back of the boat as she pulled out of the harbour.

After casting off her ropes and heading into the gale the ‘Jack Buchan’ had travelled around 300 metres off the harbour, heading straight for the estuary when a terrible unstoppable force of nature struck.

Suddenly, the boat was lifted bow first by a 60 metre high wave and capsized bow over stern.

“She didn’t role over” recalls Peter. “She was lifted bow first by the wave and flipped over.”

When the wave struck, skipper George Buchan was at the wheel.

In an interview in the aftermath of the tragedy John James Lyons told the Irish Press what happened.

“I saw a very high sea coming straight at us. I told Armstrong to hold on but with a great crash the water struck my face and I dived overboard.I sank twice, and when I caught

the fish basket with one hand I was able to catch the rope thrown to me from the Mairead with the other.”

Peter Power remembers seeing Lyons being flung from the back of the boat.

“Afterwards, the boat stayed upside down and drifted over towards the cliffs” recalls Peter.

Francis Cunningham, the crewman who was left ashore to drive his brother’s car could only look on as the incident unfolded.

In his interview with The Irish Press he said: “I saw the boat leaving the harbour and within ten minutes I saw her completely turned over.

“I heard Jimmy Lyons screaming for help, and then I saw him being hauled aboard the Mairead.”

After circling around the upturned trawler, the Mairead returned quickly to the pier with John James Lyons who was ferried to Power’s pub and brought upstairs to the house where he was wrapped in blankets and rolled.

‘We were told to do it to get his circulation going again. He was so cold after being in the water” recalls Peter.

“He stayed that night with us. The following day a journalist from one of the newspapers in Dublin came down here. He was so desperate to get a photo of the survivor he climbed a pole

outside the bedroom window to get it.”

It wasn’t long before the upturned ‘Jack Buchan’ drifted onto the cliffs and began to break-up. A search was immediately launched for the missing men.

While the ‘Mairead’ brought the survivor to shore, skipper Hickey of the ‘Ros Aoibinn’ desperately searched for survivors but to no avail.

The first member of the missing men recovered was John Byrne, a single man from Largy, Killybegs.

His body was discovered on the following Wednesday night by a search party of Gardaí and civilians patrolling the cliffs between the Strand Hotel and Creedon Head.

Another body was spotted jammed in rocks at the same place but the search party were unable to get to the victim.

Two days later the body of George Buchan was recovered from the sea, 200 metres from Dunmore lighthouse.

A third crewman, James Anthony White was found in the sea off Dunmore East and Donnchadh Mac Laifeartaigh’s body was never recovered.

The ‘Jack Buchan’ was built in Meevagh Boatyard, Downings in 1947 by George Buchan’s father, Jack Buchan and named after him by his son.

Dunmore East Harbour circa 1955 (photo reproduced courtsey of Waterford County Museum).

Stunning ‘LIBAS’ is future of fishing

Jack Buchan Tragedy 60 years remembered

INNOVATIVE · EXPERIENCED · DEDICATED

WWW.SWANNETGUNDRY.COM T: +074 97 31180

INSHORE–PELAGIC –WHITEFISH –SAFETY–SPORTS NETS–HARDWARE

VISIT US AT

STAND 9

– E S T . 1 9 6 9 –

Fishing vessel technology has taken another massive step forward as the Cemre Shipyard in Turkey has announced the most innovative build in centuries.

‘LIBAS’ is the first battery and LNG fuelled fishing vessel in the world and will be built for the Lie family, one of the leading fishing vessel owners in Norway

Salt Ship Design AS have been working on the design for the past six-months and have been busily developing the new ships design. After a long development phase both parties are proud to present the first sketches of new ‘LIBAS’, according to a press release.

The new build will be 86 meters long and 17.80 meters wide, and will be

built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey.

‘LIBAS’ becomes the first fishing vessel with this innovative gas and battery operation. A 350cc LNG tank must be installed on board but so far, not all details of the equipment have been clarified.

Greener fleetFishing Boat is working for fishing boats to use new, more energy efficient solutions. This research is being done through the partnership through the Greenland Coast Program, which is administered by DNV GL. Through this program, efforts will be made to find solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all fisheries. This is a continuation of the climate strategy for the fishing fleet that was presented last year.

Ålesund fisherman Henning Veibust has ordered a new pelagic vessel from Karstensens in Denmark, boosting the yard’s orderbook of pelagic boats to deliver in the next three years to fifteen, and making the yard a clear leader in this field.

The order for the new Havsjker follows operating company Veibust Fiskeriselskap’s acquisition of the 2009-built Serene, now renamed Havstål, which has also been to the Skagen yard to be converted from a dedicated pelagic trawler to a purse seiner/trawler. A new Serene is due to be delivered its Shetland owners by Karstensen this summer.

The 80 metre, 16 metre

beam Havskjer is scheduled to be delivered in early 2020 and has been designed by the yard in co-operation with the customer, with a profile focused on minimal fuel consumption. It will feature energy recovery systems from all of its engines, LED lighting throughout and other measures to ensure the lowest possible energy consumption.

The design includes a 6000kW main engine with a two-step gear box and a sophisticated set up that includes a take-me-home mode and the option of operating in diesel-electric mode.

It will also feature 1300kW side thrusters, a double 1400kW RSW system and a vacuum installation with twin 4200 litre tanks.

Karstensens sign order for new 80m trawler

ADENIA LEAVES SHETLAND FOR

NORWAY

The ‘Adenia’ LK193 has been delivered to her new owners in Maløy, Norway on the 7th February.

The 70 metre pelagic trawler was delivered by previous owner and skipper George Anderson from Lerwick and the fishing vessel will be renamed ‘Nordsjøbas’ by the new owners, by Fosnavaag Havfiske AS.

George Anderson owned the ‘Adenia’ from new over 15 years ago. The hull of the Adenia was built in Turkey and completed at the Flekkefjord & Maskinfabrikk AS in Norway in December 2003. The ‘Adenia’ began fishing in January 2004.

In 2015, the ‘Adenia’ was lengthened at Karstensens in Skagen, Denmark, where an 8.4m section was inserted into the 62m hull increasing her capacity from 1,499 cubic metres to 2,050 cubic metres.

The trawler is powered by a 5684BHP/4320kW MaK 9M326 main engine. With an overall length of 70.4 metres, a beam of 13.5 metre and a draught of 7.8 metres., the ‘Adenia’ weighs in with a gross tonnage of 2055 tonnes.

Plans for a new ‘Adenia’ was revealed in August 2017 and the new vessel is currently under construction at the Zamakona Shipyard in Bilbao, Spain, with delivery due in June 2019.

Design and project management is under the supervision of Karl Sandvik of Salt Ship Design in Norway, a friend of skipper George Anderson who has come out of retirement to do the work.

The new ‘Adenia’ will be just under 70 metres, with a beam of 15.6 metres, powered by a 7,000hp engine. She will have 10 fish tanks with a capacity of 2,050 cubic metres.

MARCH 2018 THE SKIPPER Regional News 13

Stand space is filling up fast for Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen 2018 (May 25 and 26) with there being a huge amount of interest in the show from the UK, along with a strong international contingent of exhibitors from 18 different countries.

Sponsored by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF), the show comes at a crucial time for the Scottish and UK fishing industries with Brexit dominating the political agenda.

Bertie Armstrong, SFF chief executive, says: “We are delighted to throw our support behind Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen 2018.

“The show is an essential ‘must visit’ event in the fishing industry calendar and it is heartening to see so much interest around the forthcoming event.”

The expo will include fishing vessel displays combined with a vast range of exhibitors covering virtually every equipment and support service and supply sector of the fishing industry. For exhibitors and their invited guests, there will also be the highly popular seafood buffet evening (25 May) held at the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen.

Tommy Burgess from Caley Fisheries said: “We are exhibiting once again this year and it promises to be another great event. We are really looking forward to attending the expo.”

Sharon Boyle of show organiser, Mara Media, said: “The amount of interest from exhibitors for this year’s Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen has been incredible and I would like to thank everyone for their support.

“There is still stand space available for those wanting to exhibit, but it would be advisable to book soon as we are taking new bookings every day and availability may become limited over the coming weeks.”

Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen 2018 will be held at the AECC on 25 and 26 May, opening times 9am to 5pm on Friday 25 May and 9am to 4pm on Saturday 26 May. Entry is free and to beat the queues visitors can pre-register beforehand by visiting www.maramedia.ie/aberdeen-home and then clicking the link for the visitor registration page.

12 Regional News THE SKIPPER MARCH 2018

SHETLAND NEWS

George Anderson at the controls of the Adenia before her final voyage (photo Ivan Reid)

Strong interest in Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen 2018

Adenia after lengthening in 2015

Great facilities at Fraserburgh Harbour

Hugh and Sharon with Bertie Armstrong, SFF) Tommy Burgess, Caley Fisheries, Fraserburgh

&

www.astican.es www.astander.es

43.28 N - 03.44 WSantander

28.06 N - 15.25 WCanary Islands

The Spanish alternative

Email: sharon@maramedia.ie M: 00353 (0)86 8401250 T: 00353 (0)74 9548037

COMMERCIAL FISHING EXPO

WWW.MARAMEDIA.IE

SKIP

PER

EXPO INTERNATIO

NAL

ABERDEEN

SKIP

PER

EXPO INTERNATIO

NAL

GALWAY

SKIP

PER

EXPO INTERNATIO

NAL

BRISTOLmediamara Skipper

The

FRI 9AM - 5PM SAT 9AM - 4PM NEW OPENING HOURS

YOUR INDUSTRYYOUR SHOW

Free seafood buffet Fri 25th

LANDMARK FOR SEA ICE

January 2018 saw a milestone in the history of Kilkeel based Ice Machine manufacturer Sea Ice with 100th Ice Machine exported to the Norwegian Fishing Industry. As well as machines going to the industry in the British Isles and Northern Europe there are some also in Australia, Indonesia, Mauritius and USA. Production of the next two for the Norwegian Market is already under way with the machines being sent to Croatia for a newbuild vessel. Sea Ice is one of many examples of successful small businesses that have developed out of the Kilkeel Harbour community.

MAS EXTENDS TO NORTHERN IRELAND

The Marine Antiquities Scheme (MAS), the initiative created to improve knowledge of our underwater heritage through the recording of marine finds, is launching in Northern Ireland.

The scheme, which launched in England and Wales in July 2016, aims to enhance awareness of Northern Ireland’s marine heritage by helping record archaeological finds in the marine environment. Through its website and mobile app, MAS enables users to record archaeological material discovered anywhere from the Mean Low

Water Level in England, Wales and now Northern Ireland.

MAS was created through the partnership of a number of organisations including Wessex Archaeology, The British Museum, The Crown Estate and the British Sub-Aqua Club, and in consultation with the Receiver of Wreck. With the launch of MAS in Northern Ireland, the Historic Environment Division (Department for Communities) has joined the partnership to support the research and documentation of finds in the region’s waters.

In the 18 months since MAS was launched in England and Wales, 352 finds have been recorded by members of the public. Some of the most interesting finds include a collection of Roman pottery, which includes the legible name-stamp of Advocisus in Central Gaul from around AD 200, and a medieval pilgrim’s ampulla used for carrying holy water.

Toby Gane, project manager in charge of implementing MAS at Wessex Archaeology said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Marine Antiquities Scheme and that it is now to be extended to Northern Ireland. A team at

Wessex Archaeology is responsible for implementing the Scheme on behalf of the partnership, which means that we manage all finds made under the scheme and ensure that they are recorded on the MAS database. We look forward to working with organisations in Northern Ireland as the scheme is extended”.

Iain Greenway, Director of Historic Environment Division, adds: “I welcome the extension of the Marine Antiquities Scheme to Northern Ireland. The scheme will undoubtedly help to increase public participation with marine archaeology in Northern Ireland waters, whilst also promoting best practice with regard to the treatment and legal reporting of these finds.”

About MAS

The MAS app allows users to locate, record and submit information about archaeological material discovered anywhere within the waters of England, Wales or Northern Ireland from the Mean Low Water Level. It is also a resource for anyone wanting to know more about marine archaeology and underwater heritage. All finds, once verified by a team of archaeological experts and when the legal requirements relating to wreck have been observed, are published on the MAS database with details of the item’s origins and history.

Since the launch, a Heritage Lottery Funding grant and support from the Fishing Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries has enabled improvement to the app to allow users to input their activity at time of the find. The Crown Estate and Wessex Archaeology are working with industry bodies and partners to secure long-term future funding for MAS.

It is available to download from relevant app stores for iOS and

Android phones and tablets.

Finders can also submit information on-line via an electronic recording form located on the scheme’s website www.marinefinds.org.uk.

PATROL BOAT IN ARSON ATTACK

A new patrol boat on Lough Neagh has been destroyed in an arson attack.

The patrol boat was to be used to enforce fishing regulations. It has been reported that masked men destroyed the £60,000 patrol boat, by cutting it from its moorings at a quay in Moortown in Co Tyrone before setting it alight at around 12.35am on Saturday 25th January.

The Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative had only taken delivery of the £60,000 vessel last week. But now the remains of the vessel are under water at the marina.Pat Close from the fishermen’s co-operative told the BBC that they did not know why it had been targeted.

Local fisherman Martin Devlin added: “The whole fishing industry is shocked, angry.”

The co-op owns the rights to Lough Neagh’s lucrative commercial eel and scale fishery and manages licensing and some enforcement.

The police are believed to be studying CCTV footage showing two men wearing balaclavas setting fire to the boat on Saturday.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Sergeant Hodge said: “Shortly after 12.35 am it was reported that two people wearing balaclavas and gloves cut the moorings of the boat and set it on fire.

“As a result the boat was totally destroyed. This boat was a patrol boat owned by Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative used to enforce fishing licences and ensure nets used are legal and accountable. It therefore provided a service to the local community and as such I would ask for the public’s assistance with this investigation.

“I would ask that anyone with information contact 101 quoting reference 55 27/01/2018. Or, alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Source: Belfast Telegraph

HARBOUR CHARGES COULD INCREASE

Following consultation with harbour users, the council says a general increase of 3% has been recommended for the majority of harbour users, including cruise ship berthings and ferries.

The charges are collected to cover all the costs of harbour operations, and the issue was discussed in private at the meet-ing which was held in the council chamber.

Subject to consideration by further committees and the full council, the new charges are due to come into effect on April 1.

ORKNEY SCALLOP DIVING INDUSTRY

UNDER THE INSPECTORS SPOTLIGHT

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have been in Orkney recently, once again turning their attention to those working in the shellfish diving industry.

This return visit follows on from the HSE saying last year that specialist diving inspectors found safety standards on many shellfish diving vessels were ‘unacceptably low’ and could be putting lives in danger in Orkney. The inspectors cover a wide area throughout the UK, but a number of high profile missing diver incidents and other concerns in Orkney last year has focussed the inspectors attention on the islands in particular. During their visit to the islands, Aberdeen based HSE inspectors Alan Keith and Bill Elrick again highlighted the fact that commercial shellfish diving is a high hazard activity requiring careful planning to be in place to minimise risks to divers.

Diving is subject to a variety of UK legislation including the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (DWR) and HSE is telling the industry that regulations lay specific responsibilities on all of those involved in diving activities – not just the divers themselves. Specific guidance on shellfish diving has been published by HSE – ‘Commercial shellfish diving in inshore water’ – which advises on what is required while undertaking commercial shellfish diving projects in order to comply with the DWR. HSE has found that on some scallop diving vessels, divers may be working for a diving contractor or the owner of a vessel but still class themselves as self-employed.

However, the relationship between working for someone else and the nature and degree of control that the person has over the work they do is important to bear in mind. Detailed information about Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance ELCI is available on the HSE website. Mr Keith and Mr Elrick said that it was encouraging to learn that one particular dive contractor here in Orkney now has a third-party individual working with them, who has taken on the role of health and safety advisor, thus working with the company to make them understand the requirements which make diving contractors compliant with regulations. Past visits to Orkney by the inspectors found a number of failings within the industry. Some of the common failings the HSE has found are: No appointed diving contractor for the diving project; insufficient numbers of people in the dive team; divers with no approved diving qualifications or medical certificates and insufficient people in the team with an in-date first aid certificate. Other failings highlighted are inappropriate diving equipment being used i.e. wrong or not serviced equipment; no records of the daily diving activities recorded; no diving project

plans; no risk assessments and no emergency plans or equipment. Throughout the country a number of shellfish diving investigations by HSE over recent years have ended in prosecutions. The HSE website contains useful information and guidance on diving at work and shellfish diving. This can be accessed by visiting: www.hse.gov.uk/diving/. Additional guidance on any diving issue is also provided if you contact the HSE diving team at: diving@hse.gov.uk

CABLE REMINDER TO

FISHERMEN

A reminder has been issued to fishing vessels working in an area to the east of Orkney to please keep clear of an important subsea cable which comes ashore in South Ronaldsay. The vital communications link runs from close to Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands to Shetland, and onwards to the Ayre of Cara

in South Ronaldsay. It then runs between Manse Bay, South Ronaldsay, to Banff. When the undersea cable was put in place in 2007, it was buried into the seabed. However, there were some areas where this was not possible, which had led to the issue of the cable occasionally being snagged by fishing boats. Managing director of cable owner Faroese Telecom Páll H. Vesturbú, said that he would like to remind fishermen of its presence. He said: “It would be good if fishermen could take care and stay clear of the area of the SHEFA-2 cable, as it has caused some problems in the past, we would be very grateful if they could avoid the location.” He also said that positions and route information of submarine cables in the seas around Orkney, as well as many other areas, can be found on the Kingfisher Information Service website www.kis-orca.eu.

MARCH 2018 THE SKIPPER Regional News 1514 Regional News THE SKIPPER MARCH 2018

by Craig Taylor

ORKNEY NEWSN.IRELAND NEWS

Aberdeen based HSE inspectors Alan Keith and Bill Elrick pictured in Orkney. (photo Craig Taylor)

John White packing the 99th and 100th Ice Machines for Norway.

TeaMate is the safe way to provide yourcrew and passengers with hot drinks atsea. Keep your people warm and wideawake without even running your genset.We are Europe’s leading supplier of thisunique and proven product.

CALL US TODAY

Can you make hot tea at sea?

Tel: +44 (0)1794 523999Email: info@whispaire.co.uk Web: www.whispaire.co.uk

_Whispaire Aug 2016_Whispaire 09/08/2016 11:36 Page 1

“BUILDERS OF TRAWLERS, COMMERCIAL CRAFT AND AQUACULTURE VESSELS.”

Arklow Marine Services, North Quay, Arklow, Co.Wicklow, IrelandTel: +353 (0)402 32126Fax: +353 (0)402 39839

email: info@arklowmarine.com

“Diligent Jo” - 14.95m twin-rig trawler

“Sally Ann” – 23 metre salmon farm service vessel.

“Aine Christina” – 20 metre white fish trawler.

exiting the CFP – but it can only work if we get out on day one. There is no other way.”

POST-BREXIT STABILITY

UNDERLINED Scottish fishermen’s leaders today pressed home to the US administration the importance for the stability of the industry of a swift exit from the Common Fisheries Policy. At a meeting with London-based diplomat Dena Brownlow, Bertie Armstrong and Ian Gatt, chief executive and president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, and Jimmy Buchan of the Scottish Seafood Association presented the case for the UK leaving the CFP at the end of March 2019. “The only satisfactory way forward here is for the UK to get out on day one and under international law assume the status of a Coastal State,” said Mr Armstrong. “This will leave the UK in a position to grant the EU whatever opportunity in terms of quota and access is appropriate via negotiations.

“Sticking to CFP rules during any transition or implementation period would be a disaster because in annual negotiations we would have no seat at a table dominated by EU states determined to continue to deprive us of our natural capital. “All industries need stability for owners to be able to make business and investment decisions, and with the sea of opportunity that exists for fisheries outside the EU this would be an extremely retrograde step at the very moment we should be preparing for the future.” Mr Armstrong added that the nine-month “bridge” between March and December 2019 that the industry has been pressing for simply deals with the practical issue of the mismatch in timings between setting quota for 2019 under the CFP and engaging in the Coastal States negotiations later that year.

“To follow any other course would be to throw a valuable card away, and demonstrate weakness and naivety wholly out of kilter with our status as a maritime nation.”

DIVER UNCOVER ILLEGAL SCALLOP

DREDGING

According to reports from BBC Scotland, a team of divers say they have uncovered evidence of illegal scallop dredging in a protected area on the west coast of Scotland.

In the report by Kevin Keane it is said that broken shells, dislodged boulders and fresh scallop meat were all filmed on the seabed in the Firth of Lorn.

This has led to calls by environmental group Open Seas who’ve said that Marine Protected Areas(MPAs), where fishing is banned, are not effectively policed.

The discovery follows damage to a rare reef in Loch Carron last year.Steve Barlow and Davy Stinson discovered the aftermath of dredging on a recent dive near Insh island and returned with camera equipment.

Mr Barlow said: “I could see lines on the seabed which is classic of the dredges. This is where they dredge spikes along the seabed.

“Then I was seeing boulders and broken scallop shells and scallops with meat still in them. So, it was very recently that it happened.”

By the second dive, the dredging lines had been churned up by currents but marine damage was still present.He added: “It’s 100% definitely damage caused by the sword from the scallop dredging.

“It’s a Marine Protected Area which had historically been very heavily dredged. When the protection came in, it started to recover and the environment was rebuilding itself.”

Dredgers are banned from operating in certain areas to protect marine features. But divers,

who catch the scallops by hand, are allowed to operate.

An MPA to protect the common skate population was introduced in 2014 from Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura.

The divers believe dredging is “common” with boats operating without location-tracking equipment and possibly at night.Marine Scotland Compliance has been informed of the damage.

Nick Underdown, from Open Seas, said: “It’s a tragic situation. If this seabed was left alone it would recover, but instead we have got illegal dredging going on. This is not an isolated incident.

“It’s a crime. There are vessels out there which are illegally dredging inside Marine Protected Areas and they are selling those scallops into the supply chain.

“The Scottish government have got to get on top of this situation.”The Scottish government confirmed the Open Seas divers’ latest claims were being investigated.

A spokesman said: “We have received recent reports of suspected

illegal dredging in the area. Marine Scotland Compliance are actively investigating the activities of a number of suspect vessels.

“Compliance officers of Marine Scotland are keen to work with local groups to help them fully understand the regulations surrounding particular Marine Protected Areas and properly document any suspicious activity they might come across.

“Marine Scotland invests significant resource into regular boat patrols, as well as the presence of one of its Marine Protection Vessels in the area to ensure compliance. The risk of breaches of regulations are considered regularly and further resources tasked to the areas of highest perceived risk.”

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, which represents some dredger owners, has condemned the dredging.

Chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation distances itself from any illegal activity in MPAs, or elsewhere.

“We understand that Marine Scotland has been made aware of any evidence gathered and we await the outcome.”

THURSO COMMUNITY IN SHOCK AFTER

DEATH

The community of Thurso in Caithness is in shock after the death of local man, Mark Elder.

Mr Elder, 26 died after falling from a creel boat off the north coast of Scotland on Monday, 5th February last.

The boat was shooting lines of creels off Cape Wrath when Mr Elder was plunged into the Pentland Firth from the Scrabster-based crab boat.

He was helped back on board the FV ‘North Star’ by other members of the crew but could not be revived. Police Scotland said the alarm was raised at about 20:40. The fishing boat returned to Scrabster harbour, near Thurso.

Police Scotland is working with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch on an investigation of the incident

NANCY GLEN CREW SEARCH TO CONTINUE

Marine accident investigators have announced that they do not intend to raise the wreck of the fishing boat ‘Nancy Glen’.

The vessel was lost whilst on a fishing trip on Loch Fyne on the 18th January last. One survivor, John Miller was rescued from the water but another two members of the crew, Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk remain missing.

Last week the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) completed an underwater survey of the wreck, and announced today it had collected enough evidence without having to recover the sunken vessel, which is lying at a depth of over 140m (460ft) off Barmore Island in Loch Fyne.

Steve Clinch, the chief inspector of marine accidents, confirmed that the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) would not recover the wreck from the sea loch in Argyll and Bute.

He said: “The MAIB has now

completed its review of the data obtained from last week’s underwater surveys of the wreck of FV Nancy Glen.

“From this, and other evidence collected, we now know enough about the circumstances of the accident for us to complete our investigation, and we do not intend to recover the wreck.

“Our thoughts are with the families of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk who have been informed of the decision.”

MSP Fergus Ewing said the government would work with salvage specialists and the families of the crewmen to retrieve the bodies.

Secretary Ewing said: “This has been a deeply distressing time for the families of Duncan MacDougall and Przemek Krawczyk.

“In these tragic and extremely exceptional circumstances, with the Nancy Glen having been lost within sight of the family homes and the wider community, it is only right that the Scottish Government intervenes and works with the families and salvage experts to search the vessel. The money raised through crowdfunding can go to the families rather than the recovery operation.

“A recovery operation will pose serious logistical challenges, and will need to be undertaken with the safety of divers and others involved uppermost in mind.

“This has been an upsetting time for all those involved, but we owe it to the families of the fishermen who were lost to mount this operation.“And while there is no guarantee of a successful outcome, I hope our intervention will help bring some closure to the families and friends of Mr MacDougall and Mr Krawczyk.”

A crowd-funding campaign to pay for the recovery of the men’s bodies raised more than £200,000 in two weeks.

That money is now likely to go to the fishermen’s families.

This was reiterated in a tweet posted by MSP Leader, Nicola Sturgeon who said “Following the MAIB announcement, the Scottish Government will now work with families and salvage specialists to seek to recover the bodies of those lost in the Nancy Glen tragedy in Loch Fyne. While there can be no guarantee of success, we owe it to the families to do everything possible.

“The cost of the recovery will be met by the Scottish Government allowing the money raised through crowdfunding to support the families who have lost their loved ones.”

The Clyde Fishermen’s Associationn and Trust said in a statement: “On behalf of the families, the fishing community and the wider community nationally and worldwide who have offered their boundless support we offer our eternal thanks. We have been humbled by your efforts and assistance.

“Our greatest thanks goes to the Scottish Government for their commitment today to make every effort to retrieve our fishermen nd bring them home to rest in Tarbert with their family, friends and community. We understand this operation may not be successful but we are assured of these promises to do all they safely do to achieve this task.”

POSITIVE STANCE ON CFP EXIT WELCOMED

Scottish fishermen’s leaders today welcomed commitments by UK government ministers to leaving

the Common Fisheries Policy in March 2019. In media comments, environment secretary Michael Gove and home secretary Amber Rudd explicitly raised the issue of Brexit providing a great opportunity for a better deal for fishing communities. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Gove said the UK should leave the unpopular CFP in March 2019, and not at the end of any transition period. “The prime minister is crystal clear; the moment we leave, we become an independent coastal state. I and my colleagues are clear; we will have continuing good relations with our European partners, but we will decided access and quotas.” Mr Gove also welcomed the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation proposal of a nine-month bridge from March to December 2019 to fit in with international fisheries negotiations. Meanwhile Ms Rudd told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “In my constituency in Hastings, we hate the Common Fisheries Policy. It has not been good for the communities. We would like to make sure that the fishermen, all through our coastal communities, get a better deal.” SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said: “Becoming a coastal state on day one in order that we can negotiate the best deal could make a real economic difference to our coastal communities. “So we welcome these acknowledgements from within the UK government of the logic and practical sense of the position that we have been arguing and fighting for. “There is the realisation of the sea of opportunity that exists from

MARCH 2018 THE SKIPPER Scottish News 1716 Scottish News THE SKIPPER MARCH 2018

SCOTTISH NEWS

Nancy Glen.

SFF President Ian Gatt, US Diplomat Dena Brownlow, SFF Chief Executive Bertie Armstrong and Jimmy Buchan of the Scottish Seafood Association.

Tailored packages for fitting out

Competitive pricing

Same day despatch

Over 14,000 products

Technical support in line with regulations

See us on stand 81

www.asap-supplies.com

Products for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul

Fitting out?

MARCH 2018 THE SKIPPER UK News 1918 UK News THE SKIPPER MARCH 2018

MAN OVERBOARD Prevention & Recovery Workshop aims to reduce the risk caused by people falling in the water on fishing vessels of all sizes. Fast moving sessions highlight the hard lessons learned from recent fatalities. Viable solutions are simple and effective. All sectors are invited to participate in this unique one day event that is being held at the Grand Harbour, Southampton UK on 17 April 2018.

Workshop organiser, John Haynes, said, ‘We focus on current issues, plus emerging areas of concern that operators may need to face tomorrow. In a changing world the use of technology is increasing for many organisations, but safety remains high on the agenda for professional fishermen. Preventing and dealing with man overboard situations is relevant to all people going on, or working near to water.’

Using the latest knowledge from around the world this group will identify the effectiveness of traditional man overboard (MOB) methods versus innovative systems. For professional organisations the unique knowledge gained from presentations and networking sessions will help to shape long term decisions that lead to improvements for current operations, along with procurement of next generation boats and equipment.

Workshop topics cover MOB prevention, including improved operating procedures and use of ‘fit for purpose’ personal protective equipment (PPE). Primary reactions highlight effective responses to MOB situations including fast location

of casualty. Solutions range from simple and effective crew lookout to complex electronic devices.

MOB communication starts with returning to the person in the water rapidly then expands to engaging shore side emergency services, air sea rescue and other vessels. Managing the casualty examines lifting onboard considering injuries, immediate treatment and the survival timeline. After effects of an MOB Incident range from personal care for the survivor and their family to legal issues for the employer.

Attendees include commercial and professional end-user organisations, along with operators, builders, equipment manufacturers, naval architects, safety integrators, training organisations and legislators.

John Haynes added, ‘We have shaped this agenda by asking a dynamic industry group to share their confidential concerns about personal safety in the maritime workplace. This open approach generates burning questions with plenty of constructive discussions. Man overboard and death by drowning or exposure is still the prime risk for anyone that goes to sea. We simply aim to reduce that risk.’

Supporters include University of Southampton, Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI). There is a discount rate for members of British Marine, RINA, SSA, UKMPA, UKHMA, YBDSA.

Event Information www.shockmitigation.com

Event Manager julie@shockmitigation.com

MAN OVERBOARD Prevention & Recovery Workshop 17 April 2018

Southampton UKAs the UK government cabinet debates their detailed positions on Brexit, the NFFO spells out 10 reasons why fishing should not be artificially tied to a transitional deal with the EU on trade.

1. Logically, fisheries jurisdiction, access rights and quota shares should be dealt separately with trade arrangements when the UK’s legal status on fisheries changes on 29th March 2019. Norway for example, maintains access to the EU single market under specific agreed arrangements but it manages the fisheries within its own EEZ and enters into annual agreements on the management shared stocks and quota exchanges as an independent coastal state.

2. If the UK accepts that fishing should be part of a 21 month transitional period on the terms specified by the EU (status quo on access and quota shares), it will be because it has again, as in 1973, decided that fishing is expendable and that other, trade issues take priority, despite its new legal status as an independent coastal state.

3. Once the principle that the status quo on quota shares and access has been conceded for a transitional deal, it is patently obvious that the EU will use the same tactics and leverage when the UK seeks to negotiate a long-term trade deal with the EU. Fishing will again be a sacrificed pawn, irrespective of its legal status as an independent coastal state.

4. It is clear that at the point that the UK leaves the EU, in March 2019, UK ministers and UK officials will no longer be party to decisions within any of the European institutions, including those which set quotas and make other rules on EU fisheries. It is an extreme

understatement to say that it would be completely prejudicial to the interests of the UK fishing industry to tie us into fisheries management decisions (as part of the aquis communautaire) in which the UK are mere rule-takers.

5. After the UK leaves the EU, the EU’s EEZ will amount to less than 20% of the North Sea and around 50% of Western Waters. It stretches credibility to understand, in those circumstances, why the UK would subject itself to intrusive control or constraints on its ability to negotiate freely as an independent coastal state, either as part of a transitional period, or a longer-term trade deal.

6. As an independent coastal state the UK would be expected to take its seat in international fisheries negotiations, including those with Norway, other coastal states and the EU. Even the European Commission recognises that separate, bespoke arrangements will be required to include the EU in the decisions when setting TACs in the annual year end negotiations. There is no legal, or fisheries management reason, why the UK should accept any precondition or artificial constraint on its right to negotiate the best deal that it can, including on access arrangements and quota shares. (Clearly a one off, stand-alone arrangements for fishing in 2019 might be necessary given that the UK leaves a quarter of the way through the fishing year.)

7. A clear alternative is available. That is that, from autumn of 2019, the UK will negotiate with those countries with which it shares stocks, on an annual basis, as an independent coastal state, without any preconditions or artificial constraints. The UK is constrained by the UN Law of the Sea, to act responsibly

and fairly towards those countries with which it shares stocks.

8. It is of course understood that the EU27 have just outlined their shopping list, insofar as a transitional period is concerned and that the negotiations have not yet begun. But it should be understood what they are asking for: despite the UK’s new status as an independent coastal state, it is the continuation of an asymmetrical and exploitative arrangement with the UK, which vast swathes of the UK population, as well as the fishing industry, consider to be grossly unfair and a distortion of a relationship which should bring reciprocal benefits. A 4:1 ratio of the value of fish caught by EU fleets in UK waters by comparison with the value of fish caught by UK vessels in in EU waters, does not represent reciprocity, it equals exploitation.

9. A transitional arrangement on trade arrangements is important to give time to businesses in the UK, and in the EU 27, time to adapt to the new realities that will emerge after the UK leaves the EU. On fisheries management, however, it is possible to move smoothly and

seamlessly into a pattern of annual (bilateral or trilateral) international agreements with the countries with which we share stocks, to replace the CFP’s decision-making processes. That is what should happen and the transitional arrangements should apply only to the trade regime. There is only one reason why the EU would resist that pragmatic solution and that is that the EU benefits from the current asymmetrical arrangements and seeks to find ways to keep them. If the UK seriously wishes to shift to the status of an independent coastal state, with the advantages that that it will have to grasp the nettle. And there is no advantage to deferring that decision.

10. Fisheries jurisdiction and fisheries negotiations were artificially and cynically bound into the CFP in 1973 to the UK’s systematic and lasting disadvantage. Not unnaturally, the EU 27 would like to continue that exploitative relationship because it works heavily to their advantage. There is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take a different and better path and there is a heavy responsibility on out government not to drop the ball at this crucial point in history.

NFFO want separate deal for fishing

Fire crews from Brixham were called out early on Sunday morning, 4th February last to assist with saving a beam trawler that had been found listing badly in the port’s inner harbour.

The 27 metre beam trawler Jordan A had been taking on water and was listing badly.

The fire crew commander requested additional lightweight portable pumps to be brought to the scene, and fire appliances from the neighbouring Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot fire stations were mobilised.

The fire crews worked with Torbay

Lifeboat Station, Brixham Harbour Authority, the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the owner of the vessel to remove sea water from the fish hold, engine room and bunk areas.

Jordan A was carrying 17,000 litres of diesel and it was a priority that this was contained in the fuel tanks. As a precaution, an oil and fuel boom was placed around the vessel.

After four hours of pumping out, Jordan A righted itself and engineers were able to identify that water was entering through the sonar pole which had been damaged at low water.

Source: Brixham Fire Station

Brixham trawler saved from sinking

A flooded Jordan A at Brixham harbour.

Join us for the 21st year of Seawork!

35

TOJULY2018

Mayflower ParkSouthampton UK

Organiser :

BOATINGBUSINESSBOATING BUSINESS & MARINE TRADE NEWS

Media partners:For more information contact

the events team: +44 1329 825335

or email info@seawork.com

www.seawork.com

Europe’s largest and only on water

commercial marine and workboat exhibition.

Discover the latest innovations in vessels,

equipment and services

Join us for the 21st year of Seawork!

• Full conference programme including new Vessel Operations Conference

• European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) evening

• Innovations Showcase • 5 exhibition halls• 890 meters of pontoons to view vessels and floating

plant• Large quayside area for outside exhibits and

demonstrations

Seawork International – network with over 7,600 maritime professionals

SWI_Contra_TheSkipper_19.02.18.indd 1 21/02/2018 12:33