On the 30th November last, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in the United Kingdom announced that they were satisfied that they could virtually eliminate all discards based on trials which commenced at the start of 2011. The trials have expanded over those last two years increasing the number of participating fishermen as well as... Read More
It is a very nice ending to watch an inspection end with the comfort and knowledge that the matter is going no further. However, during the course of an inspection something goes wrong and you find yourself being cautioned by a member of the naval services or indeed the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, it... Read More
After a landmark meeting in Brussels today 20th March 2012, France and Spain dropped their plans to object to the call to end the process of discarding catches which were not wanted or which were already in excess of a quota being retained on board. It has been estimated that as much as two... Read More
Yesterday, the 12th of March, it was confirmed that a Polish National, is being prosecuted for being Drunk in Charge of a vessel after a collision between a Cargo Vessel and a Ferry. The Skipper faces Crown Prosecution over an incident that happened at 7.45 p.m. on the 7th March 2012 when Mr. Pozniak... Read More
A Scottish fishing vessel ran aground south-west of the Orkney Islands, resulted in a crew member being handed down the fine. The fishing vessel ‘Reliant’ was steaming on March 17th heading for port when the skipper decided to have one last haul. In the early hours of the day, the skipper decided he would... Read More
Under the Maritime Safety Act of 2005, part 3 of that Act introduced a code of practice for the safe operation of vessels. Under the Act, sections 28, 29, and 30 introduced controls in relation to the operation of vessels while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drunkenness of passengers and crew members... Read More
In a report released by the International Maritime Bureau, who have been closely watching the situation off the coast of Somalia, report that the number of highjacks by Somali pirates have fallen from 49 in 2010 to 28. However, this is not in any way to suggest that the activity of the pirates has... Read More
On the 9th of April 2011 at 04:53, the MV Philip collided with the FV Lynn Marie and failed to stop or assess if assitance was required. In a report issued by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), in the United Kingdom, there was critcisim as to the level of training and awareness of... Read More
Harbour Charges Currently there are two different charges which are vexing Fishermen: 1. Water Charges 2. Waste Charges Water Charges At present there is a mandatory charge per vessel under this heading. Statutory Instrument 439 of 2003, Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2003, provides for the levying of a water charge at... Read More
A Spanish Vessel was detained on the 29th of August 2011 for offences relating to the failure to fill in the log book of operations correctly. No other offences were detected and the vessel was brought to the port of Castletown. It transpired that the electronic log book of operations had been fully and... Read More
