The unit was launched in response to the high demand for safety training from the marine sector, and brings to three the number of mobile training units in BIM’s fleet, which has been providing training to fishermen and aquaculture personnel at coastal locations countrywide for almost thirty years.

Commenting at the launch of BIM’s third CTU, Minister Browne welcomed the training resource: “The new mobile unit is an important element of BIM’s training programme providing essential engineering skills to a widely dispersed coastal clientele.

"The launch highlights BIM’s continued roll-out of vital skills training countrywide, which aims to improve knowledge and reduce the number of accidents and loss of life at sea by training fishermen in engineering skills, survival techniques, first-aid, fire prevention, vessel safety and occupational health and safety. I am certain that this highly innovative engineering training initiative will be of considerable benefit to the industry."

The large number of accidents attributed to vessel incidents due to mechanical breakdown has highlighted the need for an awareness and understanding of the engineering function for smaller vessels, especially as fishing vessels with engines less than 750 kW (1,000 HP) are not required to carry qualified engineers.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara, chief executive, Jason Whooley said: “The launch of this new engineering training unit will complement BIM’s two existing mobile training units, which continue to successfully provide marine radio and safety training to Irish fishermen and aquaculture personnel at 30 coastal locations annually. This new engineering coastal training unit will improve safety and profitability on fishing vessels by improving their standards of essential maintenance and highlighting techniques to improve fuel economy. It will also be capable of providing general engineering knowledge to aquaculture operations and shore based processing factories to improve their efficiency and profitability, which is a key aspect of the industry strategy adopted into Government policy.”

Focusing on the engineering aspects of training, the fully mobile 12-metre trailer- based unit is fitted-out with a range of excellent training aids, engineering equipment, multimedia portable computers and satellite broadband. Highly practical hands-on training is presented in its fully fitted lecture theatre and equipment demonstration area, and its prime objective is to deliver short engineering awareness courses to remote coastal locations, in a timely manner that fits local fishing and fish farming patterns.

In 2007 BIM provided over 1,600 seafood industry training places around the country and the latest mobile engineering training units further widens the range of nationally accredited training courses that BIM delivers regionally each year.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend