JAKARTA – The high number of accidents involving fishing vessels under 12 meters in length has become a serious concern for Indonesia’s fisheries sector. In response, the Indonesian Fisherman Association (INFISA) is disseminating information on a comprehensive international safety guide that can serve as a benchmark for Indonesia to improve safety standards and mitigate risks at sea.

INFISA’s General Secretary, Mr. Chairul Hadi, explained that the document, titled “Safety Recommendations for Decked Fishing Vessels of Less than 12 metres in Length and Undecked Fishing Vessels,” offers a solid technical foundation highly relevant to conditions in Indonesia.

“The safety of small-scale fishermen is a crucial issue. This profession carries very high risks, a reality compounded by the fact that the vast majority of fishermen in Indonesia operate on vessels under 12 meters,” said Mr. Hadi. “These are precisely the vessels that dominate our waters—comprising more than 80 percent of all fishing vessels —and where most incidents occur. Therefore, this international guide is not just relevant; it is essential. It provides a comprehensive set of technical data and best practices that can serve as a strong foundation for the government and industry to design more effective safety programs and regulations.”

The document, a result of collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), presents detailed technical recommendations covering various aspects, from vessel design and construction to mandatory equipment and crew training standards.

Mr. Hadi outlined several key points from the recommendations that are highly relevant for consideration in Indonesia:

• Vessel Stability and Construction: The guide emphasizes the importance of a vessel’s seaworthiness. It contains technical criteria for stability, watertight integrity, and construction standards. “An informative aspect of this guide is its inclusion of practical methods to test stability, such as the ‘rolling period test’, which could be adopted as part of the vessel inspection procedures before sailing,” Mr. Hadi noted.
• Life-Saving Appliances: The recommendations specifically detail the required quantity and types of life-saving equipment. This includes the mandatory provision of one lifejacket or personal flotation device for every person on board. For certain vessel design categories, the guide also recommends the carriage of life rafts or buoyant apparatus. “The data on these minimum equipment standards is highly valuable as a reference for updating existing regulations,” he added.
• Crew Preparedness and Training: INFISA highlights the recommendation for basic pre-sea safety training for all fishers. This training should cover emergency procedures, abandon ship drills, firefighting techniques, and first aid. “The curriculum data outlined can serve as a basis for developing competency certification programs for small-scale fishers across Indonesia,” said Mr. Hadi.
• Communication Equipment: The guide also provides information on minimum standards for radio communication equipment to transmit distress signals, tailored to the vessel’s area of operation. “The availability of reliable communication tools is critical for search and rescue operations. These standards can be a reference for determining the most suitable communication technology for our diverse fishing fleets,” he explained.

This international guide is designed as a flexible reference for national authorities to develop regulations appropriate for their local geographical and fishery characteristics. INFISA views this document as an opportunity to strengthen synergy between the government, fishing associations, and industry players.

“We see this as a highly valuable reference. INFISA is prepared to engage in discussions and provide input to the government, using the data from this guide as a foundation, to jointly formulate national safety standards that are both practical and effective. Our shared goal is to create a safer and more sustainable fishing industry for all Indonesian fishermen,” Mr. Hadi concluded.