A simulated man overboard exercise during Man Overboard Awareness training. Photo: Seafish
Training events are being offered to fishing industry workers to help raise awareness of the dangers of going overboard and improve survival chances in an emergency.
Organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the UK’s seafood sectors, and the Home and Dry Fishing Safety Forum, a series of Man Overboard Awareness events will be delivered for people working on fishing vessels towards the end of this year and into 2027 around the UK.
The sessions give participants the opportunity to experience a simulated man overboard emergency in controlled conditions and learn practical techniques that could help save a life. The training focuses on both preventing incidents and improving the chances of survival should someone enter the water.
Falling overboard remains a major safety risk within the fishing industry and is the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the sector.
Neil McAleese, Head of Industry Workforce Issues at Seafish, said: “It’s vital that people working at sea understand the risks of going overboard and, importantly, know what they can do to improve their chances of survival.
“These events give participants the opportunity to experience some of those challenges for themselves in a safe and controlled environment.”
Dates and locations
Current dates and locations include:
- Northern Ireland: 12 October 2026, National Fisheries College, Greencastle
- Lowestoft: 19 November 2026, East Coast College, Lowestoft Campus
- Fleetwood: 5 February 2027, Fleetwood Nautical College
- South Shields: 11 February 2027, Marine and Offshore Safety Training Campus, South Shields
- Aberdeen: March 2027 (exact date to be confirmed), 3T Training Services, Dyce
How to book
There is no charge to attend, with the cost of delivering the events being met by Seafish. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs will also be reimbursed by Seafish.
To book a place, or find out more, contact Lee Haigh on 07904 660484, Hannah Ebo on 07876 035742, or email training@seafish.co.uk.
For further information, visit the Seafish Man Overboard Awareness events page.
Source: Seafish.
Related: Seafish to host Man Overboard Awareness events across UK.
