FPV Barrule in 'close quarters situation' with fishing boat

Incident reported to Isle of Man Ship Registry

Government’s fisheries protection vessel was involved in a ‘close quarters situation’ with another boat recently.

‘Avoidance manoeuvres’ had to be undertaken on 1 November after the FPV Barrule and a local fishing vessel almost collided.

The incident was reported to the Isle of Man Ship Registry the following day.

Details of it have been released in response to a Freedom of Information request.

The questioner had asked the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture whether the ‘Bonnie Lass’ would have been ‘T-boned’ if it hadn’t been put into reverse, with its trawl gear down.

FPV Barrule is a 22-metre patrol boat used by DEFA officers enforcing sea fisheries legislation within Manx territorial waters; it’s also used by scientists carrying out monitoring and survey work.