Guidance

Guidance for improving health and safety

Updated 13 April 2026

1.  Introduction

Funding in this area will support high standards of health and safety. Funding can be applied for the following measures:

1. M3 Sustainable aquaculture development (health and safety in aquaculture)
2. M23 Improving health and safety on board vessels
3. M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety in processing)

Please note this information is for guidance only and is not exhaustive or binding. If you are unsure whether an item is eligible, please contact MMO.

When applying for funding for changes onboard a vessel you must engage with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure works meet the standards for fishing vessel modifications, including MIN593 (F) pre-approval by MCA, or for recreational vessels the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), who is the Certifying Authority.

Details of local surveyors and offices can be found on the MCA website.

We will send details of submitted applications to MCA as soon as they are received for review but recommend that you discuss the project proposal with MCA before submitting an application to MMO. All projects on-board a vessel will be reviewed by both MMO and MCA.

For projects that have the potential to impact vessel stability we require you to supply evidence at the claims stage to demonstrate that you have fully engaged with MCA throughout the project and all works undertaken meet MCA safety and stability requirements. No funds will be paid out unless we receive this confirmation which will be verified with MCA.

2. Project you can apply for

2.1  M3 Sustainable aquaculture development (health and safety projects)

 Projects should protect aquaculture workers by increasing physical safety or supporting mental health and can include:

• Investments in safety equipment on board aquaculture vessels

• Investments that improve employee working conditions to reduce the likelihood of occupational accidents or injuries

• Investments to support mental health.

 Projects excluded from funding

Any projects where the primary focus does not relate to the health, safety and wellbeing within an aquaculture setting.

Result indicators

To measure the benefits delivered by projects under M3, Sustainable Aquaculture Development (health and safety) the following indicators are applicable:

 M3: Sustainable aquaculture development

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indictor to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

2.2  M23 Improving health and safety on board vessels

For M23 projects should protect fishers, save lives, and prevent accidents at sea by increasing physical safety and can include:

• Investments to reduce the likelihood of entanglement and man overboard accidents.
• Investments to improve vessel stability.
• Investments to improve working conditions and hygiene

Reducing entanglement and man overboard risks.

Modifications made to a vessel that enhance its safety features, design, and operational procedures to reduce the likelihood of fishing gear entanglement and/or individuals accidentally falling into the water, as well as improving recovery capability in the event of a man overboard incident. These improvements may include measures such as better deck layouts, entanglement prevention, improved railing and guardrail systems, non-slip surfaces, the installation of safety barriers or devices that help prevent falls during fishing activities, and aid recovery, especially in challenging or rough conditions.

Eligible items include but are not limited to:

• Stop‑and‑alert / man‑down engine cut‑off systems
• Mechanical/powered MOB recovery systems
• Recovery ladders with 4ft submerged foothold
• Recovery‑ready fixtures/mounts
• Deck lighting for night operations
• Safer deck‑layout improvements
• AIS and Radar (this cannot increase the vessel’s ability to catch fish)
• Fire suppression (non-mandatory)
• PPE

Improvements to stability

Modifications or enhancements made to a vessel to improve its stability, which may include measures to increase its ability to get back on an even keel and remain watertight after having suffered a heel and remain upright, resist capsizing or excessive heeling in adverse conditions, such as rough weather or when encountering obstructed gear, use of innovative technologies to monitor fish loads/haul weight and ensure these are within a range not to affect vessel stability or, ensuring the vessel does not take on excessive water or lose buoyancy.

For advice on the eligibility of specific pieces of health, safety and wellbeing equipment please contact the MMO Grants Team.

Eligible items include but not limited:

• Flood alarms
• Counter‑flooding controls
• Remote bilge activation
• Remote sea valve isolation
• Safeguards and systems to prevent downflooding
• Lowering winches, drums, gantries and other weights
• Measures to prevent water moving freely across the deck
• Subdividing vessel or tanks

Improvements to working conditions and hygiene

Modifications or enhancements made to improve the working conditions or hygiene onboard a vessel. These improvements may include modifications to protect fishers from adverse weather conditions, improvements to cabin safety and the provision of common areas for the crew to improve hygiene, wellbeing and reduce fatigue.

Eligible items include but are not limited to:

• shelter deck structures
• modernisation of cabins
• insulation equipment against noise, heat or cold
• equipment to improve ventilation
• sanitary facilities, such as toilet and washing facilities
• kitchen facilities and equipment for food supplies storage
• water purification devices for potable water
• cleaning equipment to keep sanitary conditions on board
• guides and manuals on the improvement of hygiene on board, including software tools

Personal protective equipment (PPE) eligibility

For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) an item will only be deemed eligible if it is not mandatory for your vessel in line with MCA’s code of practice.

The number of PPE items you can apply for will be relative to size of crew on board. The list below outlines typical items of PPE that may be eligible for funding, this is non exhaustive.

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Safety Knives
Searchlight
Life Raft (U7m only)
MOB engine cut off system
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Life Jacket
MOB ladder
Head Torch
Gloves / Gauntlets
Bib & braces
Thermal Socks
Thermal Hat
Jacket / Thermal Jacket
Wellingtons
Thermal Base Layer
Body Harness

Funding will not be provided for:

• Any piece of mandatory equipment as detailed in the MCA Code of Practice for Safety of Small Fishing Vessels
• Any piece of mandatory equipment as issued by the certifying authority for recreational boats, the RYA.
• Machines directly related to assist the activity of fishing.
• Any project that increases the vessel’s ability to catch fish.
• Projects that increase the power output in kW of the main propulsion engine of the fishing vessel.
• Projects that increase the size or capacity of fish rooms.
• Rewiring of a vessel.
• Support shall not be granted more than once during the programming period for the same type of equipment on the same English-registered fishing vessel.

If you need any further information on the above or are unsure then please contact the Grants Team for further information.

Please note, this is a non exhaustive list. For advice on the eligibility of specific pieces of health, safety and wellbeing equipment please contact the MMO’s Grants Team.

All vessels under 12m will be eligible for 80% grant funding under the M23 health and safety measure irrespective of their method of fishing.

Result indicators

To measure the benefits delivered by projects under M23, Improving Health and Safety (on board fishing vessels), the following indicators are applicable:

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities	Number of employees working in your business before the project Expected number of employees working in your business after the project
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

2.3 M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects)

Projects should protect workers in seafood processing by increasing physical safety or supporting mental health and can include:

• Investments in safety equipment within seafood processing facilities and premises.
• Investments to improve the health and wellbeing of employees of processing enterprises.
• Investments that improve employee working conditions to reduce the likelihood of occupational accidents or injuries.

Projects excluded from funding

• Any projects where the primary focus does not relate to the health, safety and wellbeing within a processing setting.

Result indicators

To measure the benefits delivered by projects under M34, Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects), the following indicators are applicable:

M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products (health and safety projects)

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in net profits	Current profit (£)  Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

3.  Funding available

The minimum and maximum funding available for measures relating to health and safety are outlined below:

 Limits of Funding Available in FaSS Measures

FaSS Measure	Minimum Grant Value Available (£)	Maximum Grant Value Available (£)
M3 Sustainable aquaculture development	500	4,000,000
M23 Improving health and safety	500	250,000
M34 Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products	1,000	4,000,000

Every project will require a level of match funding. The level of funding you are required to provide will depend on your business or organisation type.

It is your responsibility to source and provide match funding, such as business loans or cash resources. You must state the source of funding when applying. Before committing your private resources, we recommend you seek independent financial advice.

The amount of money you can apply for will depend on your business or organisation type. There are maximum allocations allowed for each applicant are outlined below:

Applicant Type	Fass%	Match Funding%
Public	75	25
Private (Micro Entity)	60	40
Private (SME)	50	50
Private (Non-SME)	30	70
Private (SSCF)	80	20
Private (Fishermen’s Associations)	75	25
Private (PO’s)	75	25

Grant Rates Key:

All vessels under 12m will be eligible for 80% grant funding under the M23 health and safety measure irrespective of their method of fishing.

SSCF - Small scale coastal fishing – vessels under 12m and not using towed gear;
PO - Producer Organisation;
SME - Small and medium enterprises.

4. Contact us

Write to:

Grants Team
Marine Management Organisation
Tyneside House
Skinnerburn Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7AR

Telephone: 0208 026 5539

Email: FaSS.queries@marinemanagement.org.uk