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15 July 2005 - HSE Warning to Divers Using
Underwater Electrical Equipment
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued a warning to
divers who use unsafe and illegal underwater electrical equipment during
commercial fishing.
The warning was issued following an investigation into the
commercial fishing practices of razor fishing, known as "spoots", off the coast
of Argyll and Bute in Scotland.
The investigation, by multi-agencies, revealed that some
fishermen within the area were placing un-insulated metal electrode cables into
the water and dragging them over the seabed to stun the razor fish.
Divers would then follow the cable to collect the fish.
It is obvious this practice is highly dangerous, as
electrocution may occur if the diver is even in close proximity to the "live"
cable.
As a result of this illegal and highly dangerous fishing
practice in Argyll and Bute, the HSE, Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA),
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Police Marine, Air and Underwater Search
Units (USU) took action and launched "Operation Spoots".
The co-ordinated operation began by identifying suspect vessels
from a Police Air Unit helicopter, who contacted a Police launch carrying a
diver and 2 HSE Inspectors, of the location being targeted.
Whereupon the launch made it's way to the vessel, where the commercial fishermen
were caught in the illegal act.
A Prohibition Notice was served on the vessels' operator, which
halted any further dangerous diving until the Notice had been complied with
satisfactorily.
The successful operation was followed by organising a meeting
between the HSE, MCA, Police, boat owners, operators and divers, in order that a
working partnership plan could be devised, which would tackle the health and
safety risks involved in the future of such commercial fishing.
It is, however, to be noted, that the HSE say "they will come
down hard on all boat operators who persist on putting divers' safety at risk by
using such dangerous and illegal fishing methods."
HSE's Principal Inspector of Diving, Mr. Frank Murray,
commenting on the operation said:
"The close cooperation for this operation between HSE and the
other responsible agencies is seen as a great success and heralds future similar
operations. We are determined that dangerous commercial diving operations will
be vigorously tracked down and stopped."
Further information on safe diving can be accessed from the HSE
Webpage by clicking the following:
HSE DIVING WEBPAGE
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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