Avoiding collisions with fishing vessels


Stuart Edmonston, at the UK Club, and fishing experts Homarus, consider the risks of a collision with a fishing vessel and how to avoid such an incident


Close-quarter situations with fishing vessels and/or their associated fishing gear remain far too common. Tragically, lives are lost, fishing equipment damaged and in some cases a total loss of fishing vessels. As fishermen generally do not receive a wage, rather a share of the profits of the voyage, it is in the interests of the whole crew to catch as much fish as possible in the shortest time possible to achieve maximum profitability. This can, in some circumstances, lead to fishing becoming the primary objective and safe navigation a secondary consideration.