Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

Things happen extremely quickly at sea and often a compartment will have to be evacuated quickly. The crew’s evacuation is already difficult because the vessel is moving. Flooding, fire and smoke make it even harder to get out. It is very important that further obstacles are not put in the way of the person escaping, whether it is a physical obstruction, or the person’s lack of knowledge about their vessel.

On some vessels, larger compartments have to have two exits. Often the alternative escape route is not used that much, and ends up with things obstructing it. Crew could be overcome by smoke or drowned because they can’t escape through these blocked exits.

!   Action points

• Every ladder and door on the vessel should be treated as an escape route.
• Keep all openings clear, unobstructed, at all times. This includes the passage leading to them.
• Regularly open and close alternative escape route hatches and doors to ensure all clips and hinges are working freely from both sides.
• Exits should be marked with iridescent signs both at eye-level and at ground level.
• Keep ladders leading up to escape hatches clear. (i.e. don’t use them as a rope or tool stowage).
• Show crew members where alternative escape routes are from all compartments when they arrive on board.