Daily Archives: December 22, 2020

Unexploded Ordnance May be Cause of Fishing Vessel Blast

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an inquiry into a blast aboard a fishing vessel off Norfolk, UK on December 15, which injured all seven crewmembers on board. The explosion aboard the crabbing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor,,, “The hauler was being used to heave in the back   rope, and the crew had let the skipper know that there was a lot of tension on the line, when there was an unexpected explosion. Galwad-Y-Mor was  thrown up from the sea surface, then landed heavily back down; all propulsion and electrical power was immediately lost. The skipper was injured and dazed, but conscious, and saw that the wheelhouse had been completely wrecked.” >click to read< 16: 32

Arbroath RNLI: The lifeboat heroes who give up their Christmas to save lives

Sam Clow will tuck into his Christmas dinner alongside his young family with his pager beside his festive fayre. Arbroath RNLI full-time coxswain/mechanic and his volunteer crew will drop everything at a moment’s notice if the pager goes off. Giving up their time to help save lives at sea is a tradition which runs through all 238 RNLI stations, whether it be mums and sons, or dads and daughters. Sam said the drill is the same for the crew all year round. “We remain on call 24/7 over Christmas and that’s the reality of the job,” he said. >click to read< 14:46

A Final 2020 DMR Update from Commissioner Pat Keliher

As 2020 slowly draws to a close, I’d like to share with you one last monthly update on the work of Maine DMR before we close the books on a year of challenges. Pat. New England Fishery Management Council actions,,, DMR has been auditing the data collected through the CARES Act application process,, Additional coronavirus relief has been approved by Congress however it is much too early,,, much more, >click to read< 12:20

Chief William Saulis: RCMP to use sonar in effort to locate missing Nova Scotia scallop dragger

In a news release Tuesday morning, RCMP say the aerial search would resume, weather permitting, after it was paused on Monday, and an underwater recovery team would join the efforts and explore the water with sonar equipment. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Joyce said the sonar search was dependent on conditions and it was not clear, as of late morning, whether the underwater crew would be able to start Tuesday. The goal, he said, is to locate the vessel. >click to read< 10:58

Tecnopesca Argentina Modernizes 30 Year Old Trawler

After seven years at the quayside in the Argentinian fishing port of Mar del Plata, the 42.70 metre Cabo Vírgenes, which used to fish for hake, was missing some of its equipment. Electrical systems had been stripped out and rust was eating away at its steelwork. Now, after ten months at the TecnoPesca Argentina (TPA) shipyard,, ‘It’s working as a fresher trawler, with no processing or freezing systems on board. Basically, it’ll be fishing for hake but is also able to fish for Argentine red shrimp,‘ photos,,, >click to read< 10:01

Warm tribute paid to an island’s legendary last blacksmith

The life and work of Calum “Steallag” MacLeod is remembered in An Gobha, The Last Blacksmith, which will screen on Hogmanay. It features footage of MacLeod, who died last year aged 84 and who was known for his hard work, kind spirit and great storytelling skills, being interviewed in his Stornoway smithy. There, he talks of a life at the forge and anvil with his skills first learned from his father, John, who shoed horses in the trenches during World War One. Between the two men, more than 100 years of service was given to island homes, crofters, fishermen and building businesses. >click to read< 09:12

The new Charleston ice plant is up and running with increased prices

The port of Coos Bay has its new ice plant up and running in Charleston. The newly built ice plant replaces the plant that was destroyed by a fire in late December of last year. The new ice plant has increased storage capacity and a higher production rate, both of which were problems with the old plant. “We used to run into situations where we would need to either turn away,,, “And now during peak times, we should have no problem meeting the demand of our fleet.” With new technology, the cost of running the “state of the art” facility brings new pricing. photos,  >click to read< 08:33

Atlantic Canadian commercial fishing industry calls for clear regulatory oversight for all fisheries

The Unified Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFCA), a newly formed alliance of commercial fishery stakeholders, is calling on the Government of Canada to establish clear, lasting, responsible, regulatory oversight for all fisheries – commercial, food, social, and ceremonial. Established in Nov. 2020, the UFCA represents thousands of multi-species commercial fishermen, fishery associations, and associated businesses from across Atlantic Canada and its membership is growing. “It is essential that every community, association and fisherman in the Atlantic fishery have certainty as to the rules they abide by. Clear rules, regulations, compliance, and enforcement are needed.” >click to read< 07:30