Seafish-backed ‘Man-over-board Recovery Cage’ wins Safety at Sea award - 11/04/2006

For more information visit http://www.searescue.co.uk

The Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) are pleased to announce that the Man-over-board Recovery Cage, an innovative safety device for fishermen, designed by Robert Reid and developed with the help of Seafish has been awarded the Safety at Sea award at the Seatrade Awards held last night (Monday 10 April).

The award was accepted by Robert Reid, a retired skipper from Peterhead, who came up with the concept of the Man-over-board Recovery Cage. Rob was thrilled with the award and thanked Seafish for its success, he said: “I am delighted to win this award, thanks must go to Seafish who helped turn my idea into a reality and who have contributed to the cage becoming so successful.”

Rob also thanked North East Fabricators, the cage manufacturers and the enterprise board ‘Building Buchan – New Beginnings’ for the success of the cage.

The Man-over-board Recovery Cage was developed in response to a need in the catching sector for an effective man-over-board recovery system on fishing vessels. Rob came up with the idea of a floating cage that a person simply had to swim into to be rescued.

Seafish worked with Rob to develop the concept. Wave tank tests were conducted and the design evolved into a simple robust aluminium framed structure with side floats and netting base.

The cage has a number of features that make it practical and easy to use Mr Reid said: “It folds compactly for storage, can be deployed within 20 seconds and is big enough to contain two persons, enabling a rescuer to be lowered to assist an unconscious casualty.”

Alan Dean, Mechanical Engineer for Seafish is thrilled with the success of the Recovery Cage. He said: “Seafish is pleased to have been able to work with Robert Reid to turn his concept into a reality. The Safety at Sea Award helps to demonstrate the level of commitment Seafish has to safety at sea. It is also an excellent example of Seafish working with different sectors to achieve what the industry needs.”

A key features document about the Man-over-board Recovery Cage is available from Seafish, phone 01482 327837 or email a_dean@seafish.co.uk.

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Notes to editors:

·        For more information contact Madeleine Brennan on 0131 524 8656 or email m_brennan@seafish.co.uk. Images available on request.

·        The Seatrade awards are designed to promote improvements in maritime standards by recognising achievement and innovation within the international maritime industry. The awards ceremony took place at Whitehall Palace in London.

·        The Man-over-board Recover Cage is manufactured by North East Fabricators Limited, who are based at Boyndie near Banff. Contact James Kerr on 01261 818880 or email northeast1@btconnect.com.

·        The Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) was established by the Government in 1981 and is a Non Departmental Public Body.  Seafish works with all sectors of the UK seafood industry – fishermen, processors, wholesalers, importers, exporters, seafood farmers, fish friers, caterers and retailers – to satisfy consumers, raise standards, improve efficiency and secure a sustainable future.