Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Central Government
Action Planned
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is reviewing its policies on mandatory personal flotation devices (PFDs) on fishing vessels and considering new legislation. An update will be provided in early 2017 after a stakeholder meeting. (AI summary)
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Dear Mark
INQUEST INTO THE DEATHS OF MR GARETH WILLINGTON AND MR DANIEL JAMES WILLINGTON
Thank you for your letter of 10 November 2016 attaching the Regulation 28 Report containing your conclusions of the inquest.
I would like to address the matter of concern in your report:
That the wearing of personal flotation devices whilst on deck is not mandatory. The report from the MAIB in their report no. 22/2016 states "the benefits of wearing PFDs on the exposed decks of fishing vessels are incontrovertible". Legislation requiring the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices on the working deck of fishing vessels whilst at sea would lead to a reduction in the number of deaths at sea."
Your report also recommends that MCA should take action to prevent future deaths.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch in their Investigation Report No 21/2016 into a Man Overboard from the Annie T recommended that MCA:
Prioritise the introduction of legislation that will require the compulsory wearing of flotation devices on the working decks of all fishing vessels.
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In response to this report, the MCA is reviewing, as a high priority, the current policies around wearing personal flotation devices and considering what additional steps, including the development of legislation, could be taken.
This work will require the input of all fishing stakeholders and we will provide an update to both the recommendation of the MAIB and your report in early 2017, following an extraordinary meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group convened by the MCA on 11 January 2017.
INQUEST INTO THE DEATHS OF MR GARETH WILLINGTON AND MR DANIEL JAMES WILLINGTON
Thank you for your letter of 10 November 2016 attaching the Regulation 28 Report containing your conclusions of the inquest.
I would like to address the matter of concern in your report:
That the wearing of personal flotation devices whilst on deck is not mandatory. The report from the MAIB in their report no. 22/2016 states "the benefits of wearing PFDs on the exposed decks of fishing vessels are incontrovertible". Legislation requiring the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices on the working deck of fishing vessels whilst at sea would lead to a reduction in the number of deaths at sea."
Your report also recommends that MCA should take action to prevent future deaths.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch in their Investigation Report No 21/2016 into a Man Overboard from the Annie T recommended that MCA:
Prioritise the introduction of legislation that will require the compulsory wearing of flotation devices on the working decks of all fishing vessels.
Page 1
In response to this report, the MCA is reviewing, as a high priority, the current policies around wearing personal flotation devices and considering what additional steps, including the development of legislation, could be taken.
This work will require the input of all fishing stakeholders and we will provide an update to both the recommendation of the MAIB and your report in early 2017, following an extraordinary meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group convened by the MCA on 11 January 2017.