Enacting the new UK Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall

Dr Matteo Scarponi and Dr Wassim Dbouk

With a fatality rate of approximately 100 times higher than the general UK workforce, commercial fishing remains the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK. There is an importance of improving the safety in the UK fishing industry, aligning with The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, aiming to promote decent work for all.

Small fishing vessels are most vulnerable to accidents due to their size relative to the sea state, where this is of major concern as over 80% of the UK fishing fleet are less than 15m in overall length. Findings from the Roll Test, Heel Test and Offset Load Test support suitable recommendations to improve the vessel stability requirements presented in the new Code of Practice.

The Brief emerged from research and a policy synthesis funded by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) and Public Policy|Southampton’s (PPS) New Things Fund.

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