Fishing safety contacts and other organisations
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-02)

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and several other organisations can provide useful advice for fishing vessel operators and seafarers on safety procedures.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

The MCA is the agency responsible for implementing the government’s maritime safety policy. Its branches include:
- Seafarer Health and Safety
- Vessel standards
- Survey and Inspection
- Training and Certification
- Navigation
- Radio
- Environment
MCA safety contacts

Seafarer training and certification

Phone lines are currently closed for seafarer training and certification services please email the relevant department as per the below addresses.

Marine offices

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has marine offices in a number of locations across the UK.

Marine office access and opening times (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency/about/access-and-opening#marine-officeshttpswwwgovukgovernmentpublicationslocations-of-mca-marine-offices)

Home and Dry campaign

Find more safety information from the Fishing Industry Safety Group (chaired by the MCA) on the Home and Dry website (https://www.homeanddry.uk).

The campaign website is aimed at fishermen and offers safety information and resources and can help you access sea safety training, guidance and technical expertise to make fishing safer and comply with the Work In Fishing Convention (ILO 188) (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ilo-work-in-fishing-convention).

Seafish

Seafish (https://www.seafish.org/) promotes the seafood industry, promoting good quality seafood and also providing guidance in areas of fishermen’s training.

You can call the Seafish helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Marine Accident Investigation Branch

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-accident-investigation-branch) produces Fishing Safety Digests and individual accident reports which contain lessons learned from previous incidents.

Contact MAIB by email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) or by phone:
- Enquiries during office hours; xx-xxxx-xxxx
- MAIB accident reporting line: xx-xxxx-xxxx
RNLI Fishing Safety

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) (https://rnli.org/) publishes a range of fishing safety resources, including leaflets, reports and DVDs.

You can contact the RNLI helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx or email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) (https://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm) is a United Nations (UN) organisation that promotes dialogue between employers and labour worldwide, campaigns for fair and decent working conditions for employees, and encourages employment opportunities.

You can call their helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx .

International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) (https://www.imo.org/) is a UN agency overseeing international standards to regulate shipping.

You can contact their helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

National Fishermen’s Federation Organisation

The National Fishermen’s Federation Organisation (NFFO) (https://www.nffo.org.uk/) represents the interests of fishermen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can contact their helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) (https://www.sff.co.uk/) represents the interests of fishermen in Scotland.

You can contact the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation Helpline on Tel xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation

The Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation (NIFPO) (https://www.nifpo.co.uk/) represents the interests of fishermen in Northern Ireland.

Contact their helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Welsh Fishermen’s Association/Cymdeithas Pysgotwyr Cymru

The Welsh Fishermen’s Association/Cymdeithas Pysgotwyr Cymru (WFA-CPC) (http://wfa-cpc.wales/home) represents the interests of fishermen in Wales.

Contact their helpline on xx-xxxx-xxxx.