Health and safety at sea
PIoWR Learning Hub · about 5 minutes, including the quiz · For: Fishers
In this lesson you will learn:
- The main risks on fishing vessels
- What the rules require
- Simple habits that keep crew safe
Why safety matters
Fishing vessels are moving workplaces with heavy gear, wet decks, hooks, lines, winches and long hours, often far from a hospital. Tiredness makes every risk worse.
What the rules require
Under ILO C188, countries should have rules on preventing accidents and diseases on board, including risk assessment, training and on-board instruction (Art. 31); training on the gear fishers will use (Art. 31); medical equipment and supplies on board, and at least one fisher trained in first aid (Art. 29); radio or satellite communication for medical advice (Art. 29); and minimum rest to limit fatigue (Art. 14). For larger vessels (24 metres and over normally at sea more than 3 days), owners must set up on-board procedures to prevent accidents, injuries and diseases (Art. 32).
Under WCPFC CMM 2024-04 (from 1 January 2028), owners and operators must provide a safe working environment and safety training for all crew. If a crew member is seriously ill or injured, the vessel must stop fishing as soon as practicable, give available care, notify the flag member and, where directed, get the crew member to a medical facility.
Safe habits
- Wear your life jacket on deck.
- Know the emergency signals, where the life raft is, and your muster station.
- Never stand in the bight of a line or near a running winch.
- Report damaged gear straight away.
- Rest when you can, and record your hours.
- Report every injury, and ask for it to be written in the log. A written record helps you later with medical care or compensation.
- Look out for your crewmates. If someone is missing, raise the alarm at once.
Key points
- Fishing is dangerous; tiredness makes it worse.
- C188 requires training, first aid, medical supplies and rest.
- CMM 2024-04 (from 2028) requires safe work, safety training and action when crew are ill or injured.
- Report every injury and keep a record.
Self-check quiz. Choose your answers, then check them. The correct answers are shown after you check. Nothing is recorded.
Sources
This lesson is general information, not legal advice. Checked 2 October 2026.
Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations — Fair Conditions At Work