Question 1

Which document must be displayed prominently aboard a small fishing vessel under the Code of Practice, and what is its core purpose?

Accepted Answer

The Wolfson Stability Notice (or approved equivalent stability information) — giving the skipper and crew practical, vessel-specific operating guidance on safe loading and behaviour to maintain adequate stability The Stability Notice is deliberately vessel-specific and displayed where the skipper can reference it during operations — it translates the underlying stability assessment into practical operating limits and guidance that someone without a naval architecture background can actually use day to day.

Question 2

What is the principal cause of fatal accidents on UK fishing vessels, according to the long-running pattern identified by MAIB investigations?

Accepted Answer

Capsize or foundering, very often linked to loss of stability while hauling or shooting gear, downflooding through open or unsecured openings, or overloading Capsize/foundering, frequently triggered by a stability event during gear hauling/shooting (e.g. a snagged trawl pulling the vessel over) combined with downflooding through an open door, hatch, or freeing port, is the single most consistent cause of fishing vessel loss of life in UK waters — which is why the Small Fishing Vessel Code places such heavy emphasis on stability and watertight integrity.

Question 3

What is the "Wolfson Method" used for under the Code of Practice for the Safety of Fishing Vessels less than 15m LOA?

Accepted Answer

A simplified stability assessment method, developed for small fishing vessels, used to generate practical stability guidance (the Wolfson Stability Notice) without requiring a full naval-architect inclining experiment The Wolfson Method was developed (by the Wolfson Unit) specifically to give owners of small fishing vessels — who may not have access to full naval architecture support — a practical, affordable way to assess and demonstrate their vessel's stability, with the output displayed aboard as the Wolfson Stability Notice.