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Lifejacket Funding

19 June 2019 -

Following a successful application to the MMO for funding monies along with contributions from North Devon Council and Torridge Council, 50 Lifejackets were issued to fishermen on the North Devon coast. This project was first discussed approximately eighteen months ago and eventually after the involvement of Councillor Phil Hackett, came to fruition.

The funding was used to purchase 50 life jackets to be distributed to the local fishing fleet in Northern Devon. It’s hoped that the new design, developed with the help of representatives from the fishing industry, will encourage fishermen to wear safety equipment as part of their routine activity at sea.

The jackets have built in Emergency Position Indicating Beacons (EPIRB's) that can be activated if a fisherman was unlucky enough to go over the side of their boat. They would then be tracked by the rescue services on a designated frequency affiliated to their individual jacket, pinpointing their position and greatly improving the chances of rescue.

The provision will include an evaluation of each fisherman’s existing safety knowledge and a personal fitting and training programme, including how to maintain the equipment which was kicked off at Appledore RNLI station.
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