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Commercial Fishing

NEW SEAFARERS ADVICE AND INFORMATION LINE (SAIL) MANAGER REACHES OUT TO LOCAL SHELLFISHERS

NEW SEAFARERS ADVICE AND INFORMATION LINE

New Seafarers Advice and Information Line (SAIL) manager reaches out to local shellfishers. The Seafarers Advice and Information Line (SAIL), the specialist Citizens Advice service for seafarers, is reaching out to shellfishers in the North East whose livelihoods have been crushed by the local shellfish disaster. Michael Edwards, the new SAIL manager, has been contacting advice agencies in the area reminding them about SAIL’s services and encouraging them to refer shellfishermen and their families to SAIL for specialist help. They have also been in touch with local Fishermen’s Missions.

Michael and his team have already helped a number of fishermen and their families who have suffered the impact of the shellfish crisis. They’ve also been briefing Defra officials about the impact of the crisis on fishermen’s livelihoods. Michael explained how SAIL advisors have been supporting fishermen and their families whose income has been badly affected by providing debt and benefits advice and helping them access the shellfish grant:

“We work with them to understand their situation, prioritise their debts and help them access as much support as possible. We’re also using clients’ experience to feed information back to policy and decision makers as part of Citizens Advice research and campaigns work.”

This is just one of several initiatives from Michael as he completes his first 100 days in the role. Michael brings 20 years’ experience of working in the charitable sector, including supporting the homeless in South London and managing a statutory mental health advocacy service for MIND in Croydon. Talking about his background, Michael explained the connections:

“Over the course of my career I’ve worked with some of the most challenging and complex cases in the country, helping some of the most vulnerable members of society to understand their choices and assert their rights, empowering them to move forward in their lives and making sure their voices are heard. So I understand the issues faced by marginalised groups and I understand what it’s like to be on the front line of service provision. By bringing that experience to SAIL I believe I can help the service meet the current challenges and extend and develop the support we provide for clients.”

Michael’s priorities for the first 12 months include:

  • Meeting service users to find out what they need from SAIL and what works best for them
  • Raising the profile of the service so that every seafarer in the UK knows where to go for help
  • Making the service available to those who don’t currently access it
  • Supporting the SAIL team so that their mental health is protected and they can continue to deliver the high quality service they’re renowned for.

SHELL FISHERMEN CASE STUDIES (names have been changed)

Client B

Ben was working as a self-employed share fisherman up until last year but was forced to stop work due to the shellfish crisis. There was nothing to catch and no money coming in. He borrowed money from his mum (£5,000) and aunt (£2,000) but had no other debts.

Ben is now working full time onshore but money is very tight as he’s having to pay back his debts. He has two daughters who live with his ex-partner, but he’s struggling to support them. With Christmas coming up he can’t afford to buy presents for his children and asked SAIL if there was any financial assistance he could get.

SAIL advised Ben on benefits and debt and made a referral to a charity for help with the cost of the children’s Christmas toys. SAIL also made an application to the hardship fund for this client.

Client C

Charlie is a share fisherman and has been for over 19 years. He has partially retired and receives his state pension, but he still works. He says that due to the shellfish crisis there are no crabs to fish and he is losing income. He came to SAIL for advice.

Charlie wanted to know if he was eligible for the shellfish grant as he was finding it hard to meet his daily living costs. SAIL gave him benefits advice and referred him for charitable support via the shellfish grant administered by the Fishermen’s Mission in the North.

These are just two examples of the difference SAIL can make to seafarers in need of advice and support on a wide range of issues, wherever they are in the UK and whatever their role. To contact SAIL call 0800 160 1842 or visit www.sailine.org.uk for more information.

 

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