Assess the specific fishing operation
Different fishing methods do not expose crews in the same way. Observe where people stand, how gear and catches move and what happens when an operation is interrupted.
Analysis must include the deck, holds, machinery spaces and accesses actually used. Changing equipment, a manoeuvre or material layout can introduce interference even on the same vessel.
Deck, equipment and moving elements
Ropes, gear and machinery can cause strikes or entrapment. Work-zone organisation, equipment condition and communication between crew members are essential for controlling interactions.
Wet surfaces and vessel movement also affect movement around the vessel. Cleaning and material placement must facilitate tasks and access, not become obstacles during manoeuvres or emergencies.
Exposures and physical workload
INSST identifies noise, vibration, chemical and biological agents, postures and load handling among sector risks. Their importance depends on tasks, equipment and exposure duration.
Risk assessment must represent conditions on board. A handling solution useful ashore may be unsuitable in a confined, moving space; its operation must be checked in the actual environment.
Rest and crew organisation
Irregular schedules, time at sea and living together can affect rest and working relationships. Occupational fatigue is not resolved simply by asking for greater attention during manoeuvres.
Review task allocation, relief arrangements and conditions allowing rest. Crew participation helps reveal difficulties missing from a formal job description.
Emergency preparedness at sea
A person falling overboard, a fire or a serious breakdown requires prepared roles and resources. Training, drills and equipment maintenance must correspond to the vessel’s scenarios.
Required resources depend on factors including the vessel and navigation area. A generic checklist cannot determine the necessary provision. Assistance and rescue must be planned without improvising dangerous manoeuvres.
Hypothetical example: a new crew member
Before starting, a new crew member receives information about work zones, communications and emergency duties. The team checks understanding and practises assigned actions.
If the deck layout changes, routes and access are reviewed again. Prevention accompanies actual operations rather than being limited to information provided when employment begins.
