Harwich Haven Authority supports local fishermen to purchase vital safety equipment
17 February 2025
Picture caption: (left to right). William Barker, Marine Director and Harbour Master, Harwich Haven Authority; Helen Rudd, Strategy and Partnerships Director, Harwich Haven Authority; Peter Caunter, Chair, Harwich Harbour Fisherman’s Association
Harwich Haven Authority has donated £20,000 to the Harwich Harbour Fisherman’s Association to enable its members to purchase new safety equipment for their vessels
The current Harwich fishing fleet, comprising of 22 vessels, fish the waters in and around the Haven. All commercial fishing licence holders must comply with the Maritime Coastguard’s Sea Safety regulations and the cost of the equipment is the responsibility of the vessel owner.
The donation will allow fishermen to equip their vessels with new life rafts, personal flotation devices and location beacons.
Peter Caunter, Chair, Harwich Harbour Fisherman’s Association commented: “We have long enjoyed a close working relationship with the Authority, and we cannot thank them enough for their very generous donation.
“Many people will be aware that fishing is a very tough profession and over the past 20 years or so our Association membership has dwindled from 50 fishermen to the current 22.
“Our members certainly do not make huge amounts of money and with the recent increases to both fuel and taxes this kind donation will take some pressure off our members, as they cannot operate without compliant safety equipment.”
Sarah West, CEO, Harwich Haven Authority added: “Commercial fishermen remain at the very heart of the Harwich community, and we value their continued cooperation with our operational activities.
“The safety of everyone using Haven waters is a key priority for Harwich Haven Authority and with many local fishermen operating small 10 metre vessels singlehandedly the safety equipment they have onboard could well save their lives if they run into trouble.
“As a trust port we are fortunate that our designation allows us to support initiatives such as this because we can reinvest our profits back into the Haven for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
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For further information contact: Fiona Brunning, Corporate Affairs Manager. Email: [email protected] or call: 07425 632090
Picture caption credit: Harwich Haven Authority
Notes to editors
About Harwich Haven Authority
Harwich Haven Authority is one of the country’s largest trust ports, with a jurisdiction that covers 150 square miles. With five port operators, including the Port of Felixstowe, in the Haven it’s one of the Europe’s busiest trade gateways with more than 40% of containerised goods arriving in the UK via this route. The Authority ensures safety of navigation for all users of the Haven, from the world’s largest container vessels in operation to the 10,000 small leisure craft that visit the area each year.
As a not-for-profit organisation, with no shareholders, Harwich Haven Authority generate income through the services they provide. Surplus profits are then invested back into the Haven for the benefit of stakeholders. Through its Environment, Social and Governance Strategy the Authority measures their impact, against defined TOMs (themes of measurement), using the Social Value Portal. In 2023 they delivered more than £4.2 million of social value, which included £85.6K for creating green spaces, improving biodiversity, and helping ecosystems.