Just in on the Navigation warnings satellite printer, a Blockade planned by French Fishermen, it reads,
Quote
“NAVAREA TWO
091/09 - DOVER STRAIT TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
A GROUP OF FRENCH FISHING VESSELS INTENDS TO BLOCKADE AND/OR HAMPER
SHIPPING PROCEEDING IN THE DOVER STRAIT TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME
NORTH EAST LANE.
- HAZARDOUS BEHAVIORS INCLUDING COURSES STEERED OPPOSITE TO THE LANE
DIRECTION AND/OR ZIGZAGS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ACROSS THE LANE WIDTH
ARE EXPECTED.
-THIS INDUSTRIAL ACTION COULD START IN THE NIGHT FROM THE 13 TO 14
APRIL.
-FISHING VESSELS INVOLVED ARE LIABLE TO SWITCH OFF THEIR NAVIGATION
LIGHTS.”
Unquote
Bound to be some nasty scenes there. And I thought we were safe up here in Northern Europe from piracy on the high seas, or “industrial action” as it is being called by the French (the message was broadcast by France Telecom).
Well if I see anything I’ll have the cameras rolling, later folks…….
While at anchor off the south coast of England we were fortunate to get one of those rare moments when the crew get to do a bit of fishing. It was a welcome break from the humdrum of short voyages and lack of sleep. I took a few photos of the lads fishing and then cleaning the catch. Later on we enjoyed some home made Filipino style sushi, with lots of fresh ginger and chilli, and a few cold ones to wash it down! Tasty.
Our catch was Mackerel, they have to be the easiest fish in the world to catch, they were just hopping onto the hooks and the boys caught about 6 or 7 kg in less than 20 minutes. They were teeming around the stern and the sea was alive with them. On the deck there were scales and hooks, and blood and guts. From sea to plate was quick, and the fish was sweet, and how it should be enjoyed, fresh.
About a month ago I did a post about the collision between the Doris and the fishing boat Skarbank, the Skarbank was cut in two by the force of the collision and the occupant lost, presumed dead. The Doris had no lookout at the time of the incident, that is not to say they were unaware of the risk of collision because a VHF conversation took place between the two vessels prior to the collision. The Captain and Chief Officer were on the bridge at the time, they are alleged to have said that the fishing boat was acting in a dangerous manner just prior to the collision.
Anyone who has ever seen how fishing boats behave at sea know that there movements can be erratic, especially when they are fishing, also power driven vessels have to keep clear of vessels engaged in fishing. Now all of us who are at sea know that fishing boats keep their fishing lights on next to all of the time, even when they are steaming for the home port at full speed. However when there is plenty sea room there is no excuse for getting close to a situation with any vessel let alone a fishing vessel. It is not some macho thing not to alter in time, it is stupidity.
On a similar topic I saw in the news that the wrecks of two trawlers lost at sea have been salvaged, one the Pere Charles sank on the 10th of January 2007 with the loss of 5 men and the other the Maggie B sank in March 29th 2006 with the loss of 2. Families of the men who were lost had petitioned the government to salvage the vessels. On the department of the Marines web page there is a statement from the minister about the retrieval of these vessels and a range of new safety measures for fishing vessels in the size 15 to 24 metres. There is also a link to the MCIB Marine Casualty Investigation Board, needless to say there are no reports for the 2 boats mentioned. The British version is known as the MAIB Marine Accident Investigation Branch no guesses for where the Irish get their inspiration. Reports are available at both sites for previous investigations.
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