Commercial fishing
All Jersey vessels that go to sea, catch fish, and wish to sell those fish must be registered with the shipping registrar as a fishing vessel.
Fishing vessels must be compliant with the requirements of the Shipping (Fishing Vessel Safety Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2004, and all persons employed on that vessel must have been trained in accordance with the Shipping (Fishing Vessel Safety Training) (Jersey) Order 2004.
Vessels must also be aware of the other shipping legislation along with the requirements of the sea fisheries legislation, both of which can be found on the Jersey Legal Information Board website.
In addition, everyone going to sea should check the Jersey Coastguard section of this website.
Safety Training
The Fishing Vessels – Safety Training Order was introduced solely to improve the safety of all commercial fishermen.
The ‘Shipping (Fishing Vessels – Safety Training) (Jersey) Order 2004’ law requires a person employed or engaged in fishing to be the holder of a valid certificate issued by the Sea Fish Industry Authority in basic sea survival, basic fire-fighting and prevention, and basic first aid. It also allows the Harbour Master to recognise certificates that meet an equivalent or superior standard to that issued by the Sea Fish Industry Authority.
Permanent Notice to Mariners N°9 | Fishing Vessels Safety Training – Exemptions and Validity of Certificates, outlines the required training for commercial fishermen.
Permanent Notice to Mariners N°09
The three key courses are:
- Basic sea survival
- Basic fire fighting and prevention
- Basic first aid
Commercial fish quay cranes
The use of cranes provided by Jersey Harbours’ is subject to the provisions of the following legislation and codes of practice:
- Safety in Docks and Outlying Harbours (Jersey)
- Jersey Harbours ‘Code of Practice for Boat Lifting Operations’
- Safeguarding of Workers (Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear) (Jersey) Regulations 1980
- Safeguarding of Workers (Cranes and Lifting Appliances) (Jersey) Regulations 1978
Cranes may only be operated by a trained operator (Competent Person) who holds a valid certificate issued by a registered training centre to operate that type of crane and who has 3rd party liability insurance.
Cranes shall be secured against unauthorised operation by padlock at all times when not in use.
Training courses and dates
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | St John Ambulance
Courses are run on a regular basis; the course duration is approx. six hours.
Availability and booking can be found through the following link: www.stjohnambulancejersey.com/first-aid-training/course-availability-and-booking.
Applicants must note on the application form ‘Hypothermia and Drowning Required’.
For further information, contact St John Ambulance on +44 (0) 1534 735611 or visit their website: http://www.stjohnambulancejersey.com
Certification is valid for three years.
Fire Safety Afloat | Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
2024 Courses
Held at the Western Fire Station, St Brelade
- Thursday 14 March | Between 18:00 – 21:00
- Tuesday 8 October | Between 18:00 – 21:00
To book a place on the course, either email firesafety@gov.je, advising your date of choice, full name, address and telephone number.
RYA First Aid at Sea course and RYA Sea Survival course | Run by Steve Pearl in conjunction with St Helier Yacht Club
Course dates will be published as and when they become available
For those who don’t already have their certificate, or those whose certificate is reaching its expiry date (they are valid for three years), St. Helier Yacht Club runs a one-day RYA First Aid at Sea course.
The RYA Sea Survival course is run in two parts and provides a practical understanding of how to use the safety equipment on board your boat, with the theory taught in a training room and a swimming pool session using lifejackets and a life raft, and experience of using safety flares.
