High number of young men studying to be fishing boat skippers

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The highest number of young fishermen for almost 20 years have set out on a course that will enable them to skipper boats of up to 30m or serve as mate on larger vessels.

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From left: Leslie Tait (Lecturer), Caroline Hepburn (NAFC Liaison Officer), James Johnson (Courageous), Grant Irvine (Guardian Angell), Duncan Cumming (Avrella), John Anderson (Sharyn Louise), David Irvine (Antares), Stuart Shearer (Courageous), Steven Mair (Fairway), Mark Laurenson (Guiding Light). Missing from the picture are Richard Arthur (Zephyr) and Jason Thornton from Glasgow.

All but one of the 10 studying for the Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 Certificate of Competency, or Class 2 Skipper’s Ticket, at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway is from Shetland.

Fishing-related courses at the Centre are in high demand, reflecting the current vibrancy in the industry.

A further six men, three from Whalsay and three from Ireland, are on the Engineering Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 1 Certificate of Competency, which enables them to be chief engineer on fishing boats.

And two cohorts of pelagic fishermen have completed a five-day ECDIS (electronic chart display and information) qualification which allows them to navigate using electronic systems rather than paper charts.

Discussions are ongoing with manufacturer Furuno to host further specific training in this technology.

NAFC head of short nautical courses Mark Fullerton, a former fisherman himself, said: “It’s great to see so many guys coming here to study. Many of them are the sons of fishermen that I taught when I started out.

“They are laying strong foundations for the industry in Shetland and we are uniquely equipped here, in terms of staff, knowledge, gear and positioning, to take them on to the next stage.

“Professional development is as important in fishing as it is in any other industry and we work hard to accommodate as many of its requirements as we possibly can.”

Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Simon Collins said it was encouraging that so many men were undertaking the three-month course.

“These are young men who are already well into their careers at sea, who have learned a lot but are keen to learn more.

“They are the next generation of skippers of Shetland boats, carrying on the 1,000-year-old tradition of commercial fishing in these islands.

“Fish stocks are at high levels as reflected in the past few years of good landings and the fleet is investing in the future of our most important industry.”

In general the NAFC Marine Centre is busier than at any time since it opened 22 years ago, with the most students being taught the most courses.

As well as the fishing industry, demand from the aquaculture sector and shipping companies is at record levels.

The centre, which opened in 1994 and is now part of the University of the Highlands and Islands network, provides a huge range of services to the maritime industries, including research and development and consultancy and advisory support as well as education and training. It employs more than 40 people.