On a daily basis fishermen face the possibility of being swept overboard.
A small wave can be strong enough to wash a man overboard, and injury from cables and machinery onboard while they work in slippery, wet conditions is a common hazard.
The sea is a very dangerous place and a fisherman’s job is a dangerous occupation. Fishermen endure all types of weather from hot sunshine to turbulent, life threatening storms, yet for most fishermen the passion of being at sea outweighs the danger.
Being a fisherman has been rated the most dangerous profession in America. In the UK there are 55 accidents for every 1,000 fishing boats.
Fishermen require a strong character and it helps to be physically fit. The work of a fisherman to put fish on our plates is extremely demanding and dangerous.
Health and safety and training organisations have been set up to ensure fishermen are adequately prepared for emergencies, maintain their vessels and have adequate safety equipment, and that the fishermen are aware of the issues that cause fatalities at sea.
According to the Fishermen’s Mission “over 13,000 men and women work in the UK’s toughest and most dangerous peacetime occupation: deep sea fishing. At sea they face death and injury on a daily basis, and on land many face insecurity and debt. Life for the 50,000 retired fishermen and their dependents is no better, with debt, inadequate pensions and scant savings, meaning no respite from hardship once the fishing’s over”.
The Fishermen’s Mission fights poverty and despair in our fishing communities by providing emergency and welfare support to fishermen and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
The Fishermen’s Mission takes care of the families of men lost at sea.
If you would like to visit the Fishermen’s Mission website or to make a donation to The Fishermen’s Mission, click the following link: www.fishermensmission.org.uk
Take the time to savour your fish, and appreciate the fishermen who put their lives in danger to put fish on our plates.