19/11/2009

Lifejackets can make the difference between life and death its as simple as that, say the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who are appealing to the loved ones of commercial fishermen to persuade them to wear lifejackets whilst on deck.

David Fuller, Principal Fishing Vessel Surveyor, MCA, said: "82 fishermen died after falling overboard between 1992 and 2006; if they had been wearing a lifejacket their chances of survival would have been far greater. In 2009 alone there have been a further 9 fatalities involving fishermen and several of these may have been prevented had they been wearing lifejackets on deck.

"Families where fishermen have drowned as a result of not wearing a lifejacket not only suffer the loss of their loved one, but also the legal battle than ensues when a body is not found. So keeping your body afloat isnt only imperative if youre alive, it also saves your family enormous difficulty in the event of your death.

"We are not telling fishermen anything that they don't already know. What we are saying is, if you end up in the water, a lifejacket may give you your best chance of staying alive. Lifejackets are useless unless worn."