Marine Management Organisation
For some years now fishing vessels of 15 metres and over have been operating a satellite-based vessel monitoring system to comply with EU Regulations. That requirement is now extended to vessels of 12m overall length and over by Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011
The introduction of VMS to these smaller vessels is now almost complete. The MMO is therefore now in a position to accept grant aid applications for replacement terminals for vessels over 15m.
Process
Grant aid up to a maximum of 2,000 may be available for the new device for English fishing vessels.
Once the MMO receives application forms and clarifies these meet the eligibility criteria it will contact the supplier, AST, who will in turn arrange for a time and date for installation. After AST install the device they will then invoice the MMO for payment.
Application forms and further guidance is available from the MMO website.
Grant aid is time-limited and early application is therefore strongly recommended. In order to apply for grant aid, completed applications must be with the MMO by 20 February 2015.
Failure to apply is likely to result in vessel owners paying at least 2,400 for the new device.
For more information contact Ray Hedley on 0300 123 1032.
Reminder on grant for e-logbook software upgrade
The MMO wrote to the fishing industry on 14 January about grant aid to upgrade the separate e-logbook software systems. The deadline for this was 6 February. Anyone who has not yet applied should contact the MMO as soon as possible.