The Services

Since it’s formation, NFFO Services Ltd. has probably been involved at some point in most of the major offshore developments around the U.K. and has extensive experience in the provision of:-

Offshore Fisheries Liaison Skippers
Onshore Liaison and Cordination
Guard Vessels
Chase boats
Fisheries Studies
Co-ordination of all the above services.  
 
ONSHORE  CO-ORDINATION

The Onshore Co-ordinator operates from the NFFO Office in Grimsby from which there is regular and direct contact with Liaison Skippers, Guard Vessel Skippers, Chase Boats and fishermen throughout the British Isles.
Additionally, through Federation links there is contact with Danish, Dutch, Belgian and French fishermen or their representatives regarding activities within European waters.

The Co-ordinator is an ex-fishing skipper and has extensive knowledge of, or access to, information on fishing activity in almost every area. He can therefore play a vital role in research prior to or during any exploration or development activities.

Due to the complexities surrounding offshore activities and installations there are many aspects which present a serious risk to fishermen or their gear. The Onshore Co-ordinator will take the necessary steps to create greater awareness to those dangers thereby improving the safety for fishermen and the installation alike.

OFFSHORE FISHERIES LIAISON SKIPPERS

NFFO Services Ltd. has a small team of highly professional Offshore Fisheries Liaison Skippers with experience and expertise in prevention and defusing sensitivities between offshore operations and the fishing industry. Their role offshore is to work in close association with the offshore company to minimise the impact of the work on fishing activity or vice-versa. Regular briefings and detailed reports of any incident are provided.

As an additional service to offshore operators, several of our Offshore Liaison personnel have undertaken training in cetacean monitoring to JNCC standards. They are happy to take on this additional supporting role for Operators to meet the requirements that JNCC sometimes place on them during specific operations.
 

GUARD VESSELS and CHASE BOATS

NFFO Services Ltd.  can provide for any offshore activity, suitable fishing vessels to act as Guard Vessels for the purpose of protecting any vulnerable sub-sea installation  or exposed cable etc. from the dangers arising from fishing activities or other shipping movements.

Our respected skippers will communicate the dangers to masters/skippers of any vessel operating in the vicinity of such hazard and provide early and adequate warning to enable such vessels to take avoiding action.

Offshore operators should recognise the wider mutual benefits of using fishing vessels as guard boats. NFFO Services Ltd recruit vessels that are endemic to the area of operation whenever possible. These vessel have the local knowledge and expertise that NFFO Services Ltd believe is a crucial factor to a smooth running project.

By engaging more local vessels through the main Federation it is seen as addressing potential disruption to local fishing effort. Such an arrangement is viewed more favourably by most local skippers who will normally co-operate more readily with one of their colleagues. Furthermore, it provides an alternative means of income for the vessel whilst at the same time easing the pressure on the skipper created by quota allocations and ever tightening fishing restrictions.

CERTIFICATION

All NFFO Services Ltd. Offshore Fisheries liaison Skippers have the necessary certification to work offshore on exploration & development vessels and offshore installations. Certificates include Offshore Sea Survival and Medical Certificates to Merchant Navy standards.

Refresher training courses and briefings are regularly attended to ensure that offshore liaison personnel are kept familiar with any changes in survival techniques and procedures.

All Guard Vessels and Chase Boats operating through NFFO Services Ltd. are fully certified and equipped to comply with the Maritime &Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Department of Trade Safety requirements for the class of vessel and number of personnel onboard.

Where necessary, all NFFO Services Ltd. Guard vessels are willing to undertake an independent Safety Audit prior to undertaking any guard work.