Fishermen warned of dangers on the deck

Fishermen on the south coast are being urged to stay safe as figures show 88 people were injured or killed in deck machinery incidents on fishing vessels in UK waters over the past five years.

RNLI lifeboats in the region were required to launch 30 times to commercial fishing-related incidents last year, rescuing 38 people.

The RNLI is encouraging skippers and vessel owners to apply for funding through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to help 
replace older, more dangerous deck machinery on their boats.

And it wants fishermen to take extra care on deck.

Paul Cannon, a former commercial fisherman and now RNLI volunteer, said: ‘I know just how demanding and dangerous commercial fishing can be, especially in rough conditions.’

A safety video is available at RNLI.org/DeckMachinery.