BIM and the RNLI have joined forces again this year to offer two Man Overboard sessions to teach essential lifesaving skills to anyone working in commercial fishing or aquaculture that goes to sea.
The free one-day event is designed to highlight the importance of wearing a correctly fitted Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and to practice Man Overboard recovery strategies that can help save lives in the event of an accident/incident at sea.
Between 2011 and 2020, 39 Irish fishermen tragically lost their lives at work. 87% of these deaths were as a result of drowning.
Urging people to sign up for the challenge, Ian Mannix, Skills Development Manager with BIM said, “Data shows that the two most common causes of deaths at sea were the capsizing of a vessel or an individual falling overboard. The importance of wearing a correctly fitted PFD and knowing your Man Overboard strategy cannot be overemphasised. They could save your life, or help you save another’s.”
Following a short classroom session, participants will proceed to the pool-based phase. Here they will be invited to enter the water in full work gear, with no PFD.
“The pool’s waters are cold and other environmental conditions such as rain and wind will add to the challenge, replicating real sea conditions. This experience is then repeated with a correctly fitted PFD, allowing students to feel the difference for themselves.” says Frankie Horne, RNLI’s Commercial Fishing Safety Manager, who delivers the course.
2024 Man Overboard Challenge- Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
This year’s challenge is running on Friday 14 February in the National Fisheries College in Greencastle, Co, Donegal and Tuesday 18 February at the National Maritime College in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
Observers are also welcome to attend, if they do not wish to participate in the pool sessions.
Eligible participants who complete the challenge are entitled to support of €175 per person, paid by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
To register your interest in attending contact Linda-Gene Byrne, Regional Water Safety Lead by phone on 087 8527626 or email Linda-Gene_Byrne@rnli.org.uk
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