SHP Online is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
Fisherman Paul Reed, who went overboard from the Sydney Rose, miles from land, saved his own life by deciding to put on a lifejacket, equipped with a locator beacon, on the morning of the incident.
Paul activated his PLB, which alerted HM Coastguards to his position immediately who send the Plymouth and Salcombe RNLI lifeboats, the Hope Cove Independent lifeboat, and the search and rescue helicopter from Newquay to look for him.
His skipper then raised the alarm with a Mayday, confirming to authorities that the alert they were searching for was, in fact, a man overboard.
Paul was found 67 minutes later, cold but otherwise unharmed.
Speaking on the incident, Paul said: “I’m very glad it turned out well, you hear the stories and know it doesn’t always turn out this way. My message to other fishermen is simple: Wear a lifejacket. I did and it saved my life.
“They’re only small, they don’t get in the way when you’ve got them on, you get used to them, and if I didn’t have mine on, I wouldn’t be talking to you now.”
For more information on the incident, watch the video produced by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, below:
Fisherman’s life saved by crucial decision to utilise safety kit Fisherman Paul Reed, who went overboard from the Sydney Rose, miles from land, saved his own life by deciding to put on a lifejacket.
Safety & Health Practitioner
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources
Related Topics
Are you meeting your responsibilities as a buyer of PPE and safety equipment?
Inclusivity in PPE: The manufacturer’s perspective
Future-proofing safety: Five trends shaping the PPE landscape of tomorrow