24.11.06
New autopilot for Alice Louise

Jeremy Hosking, owner and skipper of the Newlyn based fishing vessel Alice Louise, has recently been awarded an Objective One fisheries grant of over £800 to install an autopilot system. Installation of an autopilot system will not only improve the safety and working conditions for the skipper aboard his vessel, it will also reduce the amount of fuel used and the total pollution emissions.

As a single handed fisherman having an autopilot system will greatly increase safety at sea as Mr Hosking will not have to constantly monitor the steering of the vessel. Steering by hand requires constant attention to the wheel and due to the manual nature of the task a great deal of physical exertion is required. This is especially so in poor weather conditions when constant correction of course is necessary. An autopilot system ensures the vessel stays on course to the required destination. This means the vessel travels the shortest distance and results in reduced fuel consumption and consequently reduced pollution emissions.

Nicky Harrison Objective One Fisheries Project Officer commented: "This is a great project that will not only improve safety at sea for this single-handed fisherman, it will also benefit our environment."

Jeremy Hosking, owner and skipper of the Alice Louise, added "Any help to improve sea going safety when you operate a fishing vessel alone is much appreciated. A big thank you to South West Pesca and the Objective One scheme."

For further information please contact Clare Leverton of the Objective One Fisheries Programme on 01872 270333 or email admin@swpesca.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in fisheries through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) Fund.

Editor's notes:

In consultation with Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee, crew and skippers of fishing vessels, it has been estimated that an autopilot system can reduce fuel consumption by 7%.

Mr Hosking is available for comment on 07970 595 236.

Cornwall's Objective One Fisheries programme will provide over £10 million from April 2001 to December 2006 to the fishing industry in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The funds are a mixture of EU and national funds, through the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance fund (FIFG) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The projects are approved by the Marine Fisheries Agency in partnership with an Objective One Fisheries Priority Management Group, made up of local fishing sector representatives. South West Pesca Ltd helps applicants to develop projects by providing guidance and help on completing application forms and submitting applications.

Up to 40% (35% EU and 5% National) grants are available for the private sector projects and 75% grants for the public sector projects. So far 273 projects have been approved with £7,646,626.80 of funds committed to these projects.

Examples of projects funded by the Objective One Programme:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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