A project which aims to increase the number of maritime professionals in South Africa qualified to support vital vessel stability inspection and certification processes is now getting under way.
The partnership project aims to address a critical shortage of naval architects across that region in a bid to address the safety challenges of the local fishing industry. The shortage puts pressure on vessel inspection and certification processes, creating a bottleneck and putting fisher safety at risk.
Champions of fisher safety say it’s vital to make sure that those going out to fish do so in safe vessels. It was first raised at the 2024 Fishing Industry Safety and Health (FISH) Platform meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. Now a new project designed to provide training is looking to make that happen.
The two-year project “Upskilling maritime professionals in South Africa towards a safer fishing fleet” brings together the University of Southampton’s Wolfson Unit with The Seafarers’ Charity and the Northeast Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC). It has been funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation as part of its “Engineering a Safer World” funding opportunity.
Its delivery will be supported by the Cape Town-based SSTG Maritime Training Academy which specializes in compliance audit services for the South African commercial fishing fleet. They will host the pilot course.
Work will be carried out to design and pilot a new, accredited course for developing expertise for local maritime professionals through abbreviated naval architecture training. Classroom-based activities, simulations and mock inspections will enable the trainees to undertake basic stability appraisals of fishing vessels, thus supporting fishing vessel inspection and certification processes.
While the initial project specifically targets South Africa, a feasibility study will investigate whether it could be expanded to more countries in the southern Africa sub-region.
Dr Matteo Scarponi, vessel stability lead. from the University of Southampton’s Wolfson Unit said: “We are proud that our proposal has been backed by the Foundation. Our commitment is to create an agile training model that delivers lasting changes for the South African fishing industry.”.
Olivia Swift, Head of Maritime Systems, Lloyd’s Register Foundation said: “We know that fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. At Lloyd’s Register Foundation we are committed to supporting projects that will work to do all they can to reduce that danger.”
A spokesperson from The Seafarers’ Charity said: “Fishers are among the seafarers most at risk from safety failings. Across southern Africa and beyond, fishers need and deserve safely built, inspected, and certified vessels. We look forward to championing the Wolfson Unit’s vital work in this area to improve seafarers’ working lives.”
Dr Julie Sorensen, Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety Director said: “As indicated by fisheries colleagues concerned about vessel stability and the welfare of fisheries workers in the region, the lack of qualified vessel inspectors is a key bottleneck that makes it difficult for the fishing industry to ensure safety. Dr. Scarponi is widely known for his expertise in this area and has demonstrated his ability in curriculum development through his partnership with groups like FAO. I am very eager to support him and the team in their efforts to solve this key issue in fisheries safety and look forward to working with them.”
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Note to Editors
This issue was raised during the 2024 Fishing Industry Safety and Health (FISH) Platform meeting in Cape Town, where several South African members spoke about the shortage of naval architects and the associated risks around vessel stability assessments and documentation. This concern has also been reported in the local press and highlighted in SAMSA Marine Information Notice MIN 06-25(F). Earlier in the year, South Africa experienced several serious fishing incidents in its waters, resulting in the tragic loss of eighteen fishers’ lives. While these fatalities had a range of causes – including fire, collisions, and groundings – stability issues are frequently a contributing factor across the sector.
Cover Photo Credit: Magda Ehlers, Pexels
About University of Southampton’s Wolfson Unit
The Wolfson Unit, a commercial marine technology consultancy within the University of Southampton, has been supporting designers, regulators and accident investigation bodies on vessel safety matters for more than 50 years. Dr Matteo Scarponi, the vessel safety lead within the Unit has recently co-authored the new ‘Guidelines for the seaworthiness and safety inspection of small fishing vessels’ for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The report was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation. To find out more about the Wolfson Unit, visit wolfsonunit.com.
About Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent global safety charity that supports research, innovation, and education to make the world a safer place. Its mission is to use the best evidence and insight to help the global community focus on tackling the world’s most pressing safety and risk challenges. To find out more about Lloyd’s Register Foundation, visit lrfoundation.org.uk.
About The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC)
The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) organize the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health (IFISH) conference in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). IFISH fosters research collaboration and knowledge exchange to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries by supporting fishers’ health and safety. NEC work to understand safety and health challenges and identify actionable solutions so that workers in fishing, agriculture and forestry can thrive and survive on the job. Learn more about NEC at necenter.org.
About The Seafarers’ Charity
The Seafarers’ Charity has been improving the lives of those who work at sea, and their families, for over 100 years. Established in 1917 as The King George’s Fund for Sailors, to support the families of seafarers lost at sea during World War One, we support seafarers throughout their seafaring careers and beyond. We are the largest independent grant funder of maritime welfare charities – with at least £2m in funding injected into supporting the safety and welfare of seafarers every year.
