RISK ASSESSMENTS

Planned, written risk assessments are vital to reduce the chances of incidents at sea. They are also a legal requirement. 

A risk assessment identifies dangers specific to your vessel and explores how these risks can be proactively reduced or removed, helping you to put in place measures to keep you, your crew, and your vessel safe. 

It’s important that you regularly conduct written risk assessments and go through them with your crew to ensure they understand them and keep them on board and up to date at all times.

“Prevention is better than cure and the biggest lifesaver is to stay on board the boat at all times.”

John Clark, vessel owner and skipper, Scotland.

Benefits of written risk assessments

  • It is your responsibility to take care of yourself and the safety of others.
  • The implementation of ILO 188 means that risk assessments are a legal requirement on fishing vessels of all sizes. Vessel owners must ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments have been carried out and are documented for all work activities on the fishing vessel.
  • Risk assessments are the best way to gain an understanding of the hazards on your vessel. The following sequence should be undertaken to assess potential hazards:
  1. Decide who might be harmed and how
  2. Evaluate the risks and identify appropriate control measures
  3. Record your findings
  4. Review your risk assessment and update it.

Top tips

  • Sign up to the Safety Folder, where you can download free risk assessment templates. 
  • Walk around your vessel, noting the risks and finding ways to mitigate them.
  • Get your crew to also contribute to the risk assessment, they may know of risks that a skipper/owner hasn’t appreciated.
  • Ensure all members of the crew are familiar with the risk assessment and are aware of the risks on board the vessel.
  • Review and update your assessment every year, every time you make any modifications to your vessel or how you and your crew work, or when you have an accident.

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Safety tips from fishermen

John Clark, Scottish skipper and vessel owner, shows us the steps he takes to reduce the risk of falling overboard when putting out mooring ropes.

Brian Chambers, crab and lobster fisherman from Northern Ireland, explains the importance of standing clear when shooting gear.

John Clark, Scottish skipper and vessel owner, discusses how he manages the hazard of trawl wires on the deck.

Brixham-based skipper, Darren Passmore, runs through some essential morning checks to set himself up for a day of smooth and safe sailing.

The engine is the heart of the operation. Learn how to check your fuel tank, generator, coolant level, and safety cameras on board your vessel.

Darren records his engine checks in a safety folder. You can access a free safety folder at the bottom of this page under "useful links".

Learn how to avoid typical slip and trip hazards with Stuart Brown, skipper of an u10m crab boat in Northern Ireland.

Brian fishes out of Annalong in Northern Ireland for crabs and lobsters. Watch how he takes two minutes to check the engine room before starting work.

Brian shows us how he keeps his feet clear of ropes and locates a safe spot while shooting pots.

Jack Marklew, alongside Amy Farish, run through how they keep a record of the hours used on the engines, and carry out routine services.

Amy Farish takes us through what spare parts she carries on board in case something breaks at sea.

Jack and Amy show us some of their tips for keeping in communication at sea whilst battling the elements.

More safety tips

Derek Cardno, Marine Safety and Training, Scottish Fishermen's Federation, discusses dealing with enclosed spaces.

Derek Cardno, Marine Safety and Training, Scottish Fishermen's Federation, discusses looking after your lifting gear.

Useful links