FAFB Articles

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16 Mar 2023
Changing a Jabsco Impeller and where to get the parts
By FAFB

'I know how important it is to keep your diesel engine running smoothly out on the water. One part that you'll want to keep an eye on is the impeller. Here's how to spot a broken one and change it out: Start by turning off your diesel engine and letting it cool down completely. This will…

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• 08 Mar 2023
  The Pentland Firth

  'The Pentland Firth is a strait located in the northern part of Scotland, separating the mainland from the Orkney Islands. It is one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the British…

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• 23 Feb 2023
  Aurora Borealis

  Although the Aurora Borealis is typically associated with the Arctic regions, it is also visible in some parts of the United Kingdom. Here's a brief overview of its history and some…

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• 10 Feb 2023
  ICS FLAGS a brief explanation

  'International Code Signal (ICS) flags are a set of flags used by ships and boats to communicate important messages while at sea. The flags are used to send messages between ships or between…

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• 07 Feb 2023
  AIS explained

  'Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a modern technological tool that is revolutionizing commercial fishing. AIS is an electronic system that enables ships to automatically identify…

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• 26 Oct 2022
  The Sea farers Charity Movie MCA Inspection requirements

  The Seafarers’ Charity has funded a new information film to help fishers meet new MCA inspection standards. Click here In partnership with the National Federation of Fishermen's…

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• 03 Sep 2022
  S&P BLAIR Engineering

  The engineering company S&P Blair has been manufacturing equipment from Dunbar since 1933 when the Company was established by the founder Peter Blair.

  Blair formed the company when he…

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• 25 Jun 2022
  FAL Propellers-Supply and Repair

  F A L Propellers have been serving the marine industry for over 50 years. During this time the skilled workforce has repaired over 34,000 propellers, from fishing vessels, work boats, oil…

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• 01 Mar 2022
  Fishing boat registration letters explained

  We’re familiar with the concept of vehicle registration plates and the historical changes that reflect the age of the vehicle, including the change which occurred in 2001 which also added…

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• 10 Jan 2022
  Add FAFB ICON LINK TO YOUR IPHONE IPAD or other Tablet

  Add the FAFB ICON to your iPhone

  One click and your on the site

  This is just a reminder that this facility is available

  Just open FAFB on your phone Tap the save button as shown Remember to…

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• 07 Jan 2022
  How to add a shortcut to FAFB on your Samsung mobile

  Follow these steps to add an FAFB icon to your Home screen.

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• 30 Dec 2021
  Seafish ID cards

  Seagoing training certificates ID cards and certificates are available to fishing industry workers who have completed training. Find out how to order new or replacement certificates Mandatory…

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• 27 Sep 2021
  Todays Fish Prices Live

  Many fish markets around the world have changed from a traditional shout auction to online auctions.

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• 29 Nov 2020
  Trawl net monitors - a brief introduction

  Trawl net monitors have been developed by various companies for many years.

  Over the years the technology has improved - battery life has been extended and the functions have been improved,…

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• 11 Aug 2020
  Sikaflex

  Sikaflex a short explanation

  Sikaflex Is known as the worlds leading construction and Industrial adhesive

  Sikaflex is widely used in the marine environment

  Founded By Kasper…

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• 16 Jun 2020
  A marine survey

  Are you wondering how you can decide on your next boat and progress the sale?

  Or are you wanting to endorse your boat for sale advert with a recent marine survey?

  A full marine survey or…

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• 12 May 2020
  Seine netting revisited

  Drone footage of the salmon on Parry beach2020

  Seine fishing is a method of catching fish using a net that is hung vertically from a rope and used to haul catch from the water. The top is…

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• 15 Apr 2020
  What is AIS?A simple explanation of how it works and how everyone can access it

  AIS a simple explanation

  AIS Automatic Identification System was mandatory for vessels over 300 GT in 2002 Now all fishing vessels 15m and over must have one installed

  Over the years two…

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• 28 Mar 2020
  Navigating Lateral and Cardinal Marks

  Navigating the channels, seas and waterways of the world can be a tricky business but ever since man took to the seas there has been a correlative system of piloting aids; from the fire and…

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• 27 Mar 2020
  Kelvin Diesel Marine Engines: A brief history

  Founded in 1904 as the Bergius Car and Engine Company, Kelvin Diesels is a Scottish manufacturer of marine engines that are widely used in commercial fishing vessels and small tugboats. The…

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• 21 Mar 2020
  A Few Knots & Hitches That Everyone Should Know

  For some people, this may be second nature . But you’d be surprised just how many people we’ve come across who still haven’t got to grips with tying some basic but essential…

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• 05 Feb 2020
  A Guide to Basic Diesel Engine Maintenance

  Diesel engines are relatively straightforward to maintain and if you can cover the basics on a regular basis then you can be sure to prevent costly mechanical failures that could leave you,…

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• 17 Dec 2019
  Fishing Trawlers: The basics

  Also known as draggers, a trawler is a commercial fishing vessel which is designed to pull (or drag) a trawl net behind it to catch fish. The net is known as the trawl and can be deployed at…

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• 06 Nov 2019
  Landing Obligation trawl gear trials

  Since February 2017 a fishing industry led collaborative project, aimed at eliminating the capture of juvenile and non-commercial fish species, has been underway. The Northern Ireland Gear…

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• 05 Nov 2019
  Marine electronics explained: Depth/Echo Sounders/fishfinders

  Depth sounders (or echo sounders) are a type of SONAR system used in marine navigation to determine the depth of the water or to locate and visualize objects beneath the waves. They are used…

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• 05 Sep 2019
  A short history of fishing boats

  A history of trawling.

  The United Kingdom has an affinity for the sea and its history of fishing is an essential part of our culture as an island nation. From the development of early coastal…

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• 09 May 2019
  Safety First: Surviving at Sea

  Safety at sea is not something anyone can take for granted and, as well as some mandatory requirements for essential equipment, there are some things which should be common place, whatever…

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• 01 May 2019
  Marine Chart Plotters Explained

  Marine technology is a diverse industry and ranges from advanced navigational tools to safety devices and, for the commercial fishing sector, products designed to increase yields from target…

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• 06 Apr 2019
  The FAFB A to Z of Nautical, Fishing and Boat Terms Explained

  Every industry has its own lingo and the commercial fishing sector is no different. In some ways, the language used can be more oblique with some nautical terms being derived from ancient…

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• 21 Mar 2019
  Basic Boat Maintenance

  Whatever size, make or model you have, owning a boat comes with some routine maintenance requirements. The more often your boat is in use, the more wear and tear or accidental damage can…

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• 20 Sep 2018
  Update on Prawn Trawl Gear Trials from Ben Collier

  The Northern Ireland Gear Trials project is now into its second year of an initial two year long, EMFF funded programme that aims to design, trial and implement more selective fishing gears…

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• 21 Apr 2018
  Anti-fouling Time

  Protecting the hull of your vessel is an essential part of the routine maintenance required to keep your boat in good service and applying some form of anti-fouling is inescapable to do so.…

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• 22 Jan 2018
  Read the book by Percy and Gary Mitchell, A boat builders story

  Percy Mitchell the renowned and innovative boat builder from Portmellon near Mevagissey in Cornwall , wrote this book which is a detailed description of early wooden boat building in…

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• 13 Dec 2017
  Fishing Methods Explained: Longlining

  The methods of fishing vary greatly depending on the species of fish that is being targeted and the type of water being fished. Over a series of articles we take a look at some of the more…

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• 24 Aug 2017
  The Shipping Forecast 150 years old

  The shipping Forecast started as a public service 150 years ago 24 Aug 1867 It is the longest running weather forecast in the world The forecast is loved by many not only mariners but…

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• 10 Jul 2017
  Funding is available from MMO under EMFF scheme – Apply now!

  The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking applications under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for grant funding to the fishing industry, those operating fishing boats and…

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• 24 Apr 2017
  Which EPIRB Do I Need ?

  An EPIRB is a type of tracking device that is used on board both commercial and leisure marine craft to provide assistance at sea in the event of emergencies. They can also be used as…

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• 14 Apr 2017
  UK Fishing Vessel Licenses Explained

  Issued by the UK Government’s Marine Management Organisation, a commercial fishing vessel license permits a vessel to fish in specified areas of the sea.

  At the current time, no new…

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• 04 Apr 2017
  RIB Buying Guide: Things to Consider

  RIB stands for Rigid Inflatable Boat and refers to a variety of vessels that principally share a similar structure; a lightweight vessel with a solid hull and an inflatable collar at the…

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• 27 Mar 2017
  Buying a second-hand boat? Ten things to look for

  Buying a used item can mean getting a bargain but it can also mean making some compromises about the condition of what you are buying. This is true of cars, furniture or fishing boats. When…

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• 23 Mar 2017
  How to Buy a Boat Online: Safety Tips

  It’s probably one of the most recurring questions that gets asked when using FAFB to buy a boat or to sell a boat; how to stay secure online when buying or selling a high-ticket item like a…

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• 03 Mar 2017
  Fishing Folklore and Seafaring Superstitions

  Every profession has their superstitions, traditional customs and strange beliefs but mariners (and specifically fishermen) have more than their fair share. Most are associated with bad luck…

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• 17 Feb 2017
  Mapping the Seas of The British Isles: The Pentland Firth

  With some of the strongest tides and fastest currents in the world, the Pentland Firth is one of Britain’s most famous stretches of water. Though not actually a firth but rather a strait,…

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• 07 Dec 2016
  About FAL Propeller Service for props, shafts and sterngear

  FAL Scottish Propeller Service Ltd was first established in 1961 by Mr. Fred A. Langnes who was a Norwegian evacuee from the north of Norway and came to this country in 1944. When he arrived…

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• 10 Nov 2016
  Focus on Boat Builders: Nobles of Girvan

  With a long reputation of quality boat building, precision marine engineering and reliable workmanship, Nobles of Girvan is one of the UK’s best known and well-respected boat yards.

  One of…

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• 28 Oct 2016
  Focus on Boat Builders: Cygnus Marine, Cornwall

  Established in Falmouth in 1972, Cygnus Marine specialised in building GRP fishing boats and pleasure craft. Although it is no longer an active business, having ceased trading in 2007, the…

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• 19 Oct 2016
  Focus on Ports: Lerwick (Shetland)

  As the most northerly commercial fishing port in the British Isles, Lerwick has a unique advantage over others harbours with its prime location. Situated 210 miles off the coast of Aberdeen,…

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• 05 Oct 2016
  And now The Shipping Forecast

  The shipping forecast is a twice daily broadcast on FM (four times on LW) and is compiled by the Met Office, principally to provide the maritime industry with ongoing information about the…

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• 14 Sep 2016
  Iceland history of fishing, cod war video

  Fishing in Iceland dates back to the time of the earliest settlers during the late 9th to early 10th centuries when Norse Vikings migrated from mainland Europe. The topography and climate of…

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• 10 Sep 2016
  Focus on Ireland's Ports

  Contributing €891 million to the Irish economy and employing just 11,000 people, the fishing sector in Ireland may seem relatively modest compared to the national income and employment but…

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• 01 Sep 2016
  Traditional fishing boats: The Galway Hooker

  Every region of the world has its own distinct design of traditional fishing boats. Vessels that have been specifically adapted through the ages to suit the incumbent weather and sea…

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• 12 Aug 2016
  Focus on Fishing in Norway

  Henningsvær

  Situated on the Southern Coast of the Lofoten archipelago in Norway, the fishing village of Henningsvær offers a glimpse of traditional Norwegian fishing. With a population of…

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• 02 Aug 2016
  Focus on Ports: Plymouth

  Known as Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth, with an annual landing of approximately 11.1 thousand tonnes of fish each year (2014), is the third largest port in the South West of England and…

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• 27 Jul 2016
  Traditional fishing boats: The Lancashire Nobby

  A type of inshore sailing boat, the nobby is an adaptation of a traditional fishing boat that became common around Lancashire and the Isle of Man. It originated around Southport and Morecambe…

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• 18 Jul 2016
  Focus on Ports: Scrabster

  Situated on the north east coast of Scotland on Thurso Bay near Caithness, Scrabster was the 4th largest port across the UK in 2014 with annual landing figures of 16.2 hundred thousand…

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• 10 Jul 2016
  Focus on Ports: Fraserburgh

  Located in Aberdeenshire on the north east coast of Scotland, Fraserburgh is a busy commercial harbour and is the largest shellfish port in Europe landing over 12,000 tonnes in 2008.…

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• 09 Jul 2016
  Tips on How to sell your boat or buy a boat on FAFB SELLING YOUR BOAT Read more
• 01 Jul 2016
  Wärtsilä & Stork engines A brief history

  Stork marine engines have a good reputation in the market and offer a good quality product in medium and high-speed propulsion, often across a specialised commercial market.

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• 09 Jun 2016
  The propeller: A brief guide to its history, design and maintenance

  An essential component of most vessels the boat propeller is a humble and elementary piece of technology that has evolved over time to deliver thrust to mechanised boating. From its origins…

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• 26 May 2016
  Yamaha Marine Outboards: A brief history

  Yamaha, as a corporation, dates back to 1887 when the company (called Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd at the time) began producing musical instruments such as the reed organ and upright piano’s. The…

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• 08 May 2016
  Finding fish: Methods to improve your chance of fishing success

  It’s often said that 80% of fish are caught by 20% of fishermen but, if this is true, why are some people more successful at fishing than others?

  If we look at this common saying the…

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• 26 Apr 2016
  Baudouin Marine Engines: A brief history

  Respected worldwide and renowned for their reliable, high quality and competitive range of marine diesel engines, Motors Baudouin has been in business for almost a hundred years and remains a…

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• 15 Apr 2016
  Marine electronics explained: GPS

  GPS or Global Positioning System is a satellite based navigation system comprised of 31 satellites that orbit the Earth.

  As well as marine navigation GPS has many uses in both civilian and…

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• 05 Apr 2016
  Ocean currents: How the Gulf Stream affects Europe’s fishing waters

  Currents are undoubtedly at the heart of all life in the ocean and their importance in stabilising sea temperature, salinity and circulating nutrients and CO2 cannot be overstated. Changes in…

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• 03 Apr 2016
  Fishing methods explained: Pots, inkwells and creels

  The fishing industry is a diverse one and the range of methods used is as varied as the fish they are designed to catch with many fishermen only being conversant in the method to which they…

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• 29 Mar 2016
  Learning the ropes: A brief history of cables, ropes and lines

  With advances in modern technology many essential pieces of sailing and boating equipment have evolved into unrecognisable replacements; from simple upgrades in shipbuilding materials like…

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• 24 Mar 2016
  Marine corrosion and sacrificial anodes

  The bane of a boatman’s life is the inevitable natural occurrence of corrosion to the drive, hull and other exposed metal parts of a vessel (including props, rudder stock and skin…

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• 18 Mar 2016
  How to choose and use radar for your boat

  An essential addition to any boats electronic navigation system, radar has been around for over a hundred years but what is it, how do you choose the right one and, more importantly, how do…

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• 06 Mar 2016
  Caterpillar Marine Engines story

  With an exceptional worldwide reputation for their endurance, reliability and high-quality engineering, Caterpillar Marine Engines are perhaps the number one choice in marine propulsion.…

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• 07 Aug 2015
  Trawl doors, steel fabrication and repair

  Pukka trawl doors and A1 fabricationManufacturer and supplier direct of the Pukka Trawl Doors.

  Available in Light/Medium and Heavy Duty construction for fishing on all types of ground. For…

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• 14 Jan 2013
  Crayfishing in Western Australia

  02:00am, 7th January, 2013, heading out cray fishing - warm fleece, socks, boots, long sleeve shirt, sandwiches - all packed.

  Except the temperature is 24C??

  Must be in Western Australia.…

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• 01 Jan 1970
  Historic Fishing Boats: Focus on Isabella Fortuna recent update

  Recently awarded Regional Flagship status for Scotland, the Isabella Fortuna is of historic importance and is the last remaining herring fish boat of her kind. Based in Wick and lovingly…

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