The Cruising Association Launches the Marked Gear = Safe Gear Campaign

The Cruising Association (CA) has initiated a crucial campaign: Marked Gear = Safe Gear. This initiative aims to elevate existing guidance surrounding the marking of static fishing gear from voluntary recommendations to mandatory regulations. The call to action is clear: as a community, boaters and fishermen alike can join this effort to ensure safety on the waters.

The Hidden Dangers of Poorly Marked Gear

In the UK, poorly marked fishing gear—especially lobster pots and creels—poses a significant and often unseen safety hazard for yachtsmen and recreational boaters. Unmarked pots are not only difficult to spot but can lead to accidents that involve vessel entanglement, resulting in damage to boats and, in some cases, injuries or even fatalities.

When sailors inadvertently strike unmarked gear, it can wreak havoc on propellers and rudders, creating dangerous situations that ripple through the entire boating community. Efforts to disentangle boats from such gear often lead to further risk for crew members, heightening the urgency for a systematic solution.

An Alliance for Change

The Cruising Association is not alone in this endeavor. They have partnered with esteemed organizations, including the Royal Institute of Navigation, Yachting Monthly, Practical Boat Owner, and the Westerly Owners’ Association. Together, they advocate for making the existing guidance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)—established in 2008—mandatory and enforceable.

While most fishermen comply with the MCA recommendations, inconsistent adherence leaves gaps that create hazards. In a progressive step, Scotland has already made it illegal to mark creels with anything other than a dedicated buoy, underscoring the need for improved measures across the board.

Campaign Objectives

The Marked Gear = Safe Gear campaign aims to achieve several crucial objectives:

1. Hazard Awareness

The first goal is to raise awareness about the dangers associated with unmarked fishing gear. Education is key to ensuring that all water users are informed and alert to these potential risks.

2. Incident Documentation

The campaign will collect data on incidents related to entanglement and near-misses. By documenting these occurrences, the CA aims to highlight the pressing need for reform and to support their call for regulatory change.

3. Mapping Hazards

As part of this initiative, identified hazards will be mapped and published. This resource can serve as a vital tool for navigational safety in the affected waters.

4. Building Partnerships

The campaign seeks to forge alliances with stakeholders across both the fishing and boating communities, promoting a unified approach to these shared concerns.

5. Advocating for Reform

The CA will actively lobby policymakers to push this critical safety issue to the forefront, aiming for enforceable reforms that improve safety on the water.

Voicing Concerns: Leadership Insights

Robin Baron, President of the CA, has underscored the seriousness of this issue: “Poorly marked static fishing gear is not a minor inconvenience—it is a serious and growing safety risk that puts lives, vessels, and livelihoods in danger.”

Despite many fishermen adhering to best practices, the inconsistent marking and adherence still create unnecessary hazards at sea. Since 2017, the RNLI has reported around 1,400 entanglement-related call-outs, while the HM Coast Guard responds to roughly 150 incidents each year relating to lobster pots and static fishing gear.

A Shared Responsibility

Baron emphasizes that safety at sea hinges on shared responsibility. “Voluntary measures have not led to a significant change in practice. It is now time for clear, enforceable standards so that all water users can navigate with confidence. Marked gear is safe gear, and that is the standard we must achieve.”

How You Can Participate

To facilitate change, the campaign needs the community’s support in documenting incidents involving static fishing gear entanglement. A newly launched online reporting form allows users to report sightings of unmarked, poorly marked, or lost gear and instances of entanglement.

If you encounter such gear or witness an incident, your contribution is vital. You can report it through the following link: RYA Fishing Gear Incident Reporting Form.

By participating, you significantly impact the call for safety reforms that can benefit all users of our waters.