EDF Safety Initiative for Fishermen

Life Cell Marine Safety has been included in an initiative aiming to support local fishermen. Operating from coastal locations on the east coast of England between Hartlepool and Saltburn by the Sea, the fisherman have traditionally used the fishing grounds around the windfarm.

Developed by EDF Energy Renewables, the initiative aims provide essential safety equipment for crew and boats in line with MCA requirements. The scheme will provide Life Cells to local fishermen, ensuring they have essential safety equipment in a readily accessible location in the event of an emergency. The Life Cell is used as a flotation device, which can float free or be easily removed from a vessel. The bonus is that it can also be safely and easily removed after each day’s fishing to reduce the possibility of theft of essential safety equipment. Pinpoint also supplies easyONE AIS man overboard locating beacons, VHF radios, flares and life jackets.

The aim of the initiative was to ensure that the wind farm can co-exist safely and effectively with local fishing activities. EDF have maintained close contact with the local fishermen at all stages of the project and they are delighted to be able to provide support for this very important local activity and community.

‘The dedicated new fishing support programme will provide targeted assistance for specific fishing activity needs and will hopefully provide a positive contribution to the activities of local fishing groups and individual operators.’

The new programme will be managed by Tees Valley Community Foundation (TVCF) in association with Coastwatch Redcar.