Mullion, the lifejacket and flotation garment manufacturer, is throwing its support behind the forthcoming Skipper Expo Int. Galway and Skipper Expo Int. Aberdeen commercial fishing shows by confirming it will sponsor both events.
The move provides a neat complement to the other show sponsors– Bord Iascaigh Mara (BIM) for Galway and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) for Aberdeen – both of whom will be promoting to fishermen their initiatives in Ireland and Scotland to raise safety awareness and provide Mullion Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) to wear at sea.
Gaetan Frys, General Manager of Mullion Ireland, said: “We are delighted to sponsor both the Galway and Aberdeen expos as it provides a unique opportunity to showcase to large numbers of fishermen the PFD safety initiatives now underway in Ireland and Scotland.
“At the Galway expo our team comprising Jane Goodwin, Adrian Towey and Tony Brown will be on hand to explain to fishermen how the devices work and the advantages offered in participating in the BIM supported initiative to provide PFDs to Irish fishermen.”
BIM’s Enhanced Safety Training and Safety Equipment Purchasing scheme is designed to ensure all registered fishermen are fully trained to use their PFD. On completion of the training all fishermen receive a grant funded voucher, which entitles them to a special deal on a Mullion Compact PFD 150 fitted with an integrated Personal Location Beacon.
Under the SFF led safety initiative in Scotland, fishermen are eligible for a free PFD if they possess their full mandatory certification and the fishing licence on their vessel is administered by Marine Scotland. Fishermen who hold a certificate of competency or service, or who have completed the risk assessment/safety awareness course, are also eligible to receive a free PFD.
Sharon Boyle of show organiser Mara Media, said: “Fishing by its very nature can be a risky profession and we are pleased that safety is going to be a key theme at both the Galway and Aberdeen expos. We would like to thank Mullion for their support.”
This will be the 10th anniversary of Skipper Expo Int. Galway expo and a large visitor attendance is expected. Star attractions will include boat displays and the highly popular exhibitors’ buffet. To beat the queues on arrival, visitors can pre-register online at: www.maramedia.ie/registration
