Articles & News

23rd February 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 interesting facts...

10th February 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 ships and...

7th February 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 themselves an...

1st January 2023

Celeste

Celeste a Beneteau 35.1 from 1999 is our home just now

26th October 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 Organisations (NFFO) a...

3rd September 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 returned to Dunb...

25th June 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 rigs and pl...

10th January 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 scroll dow...

7th January 2022

How to add a shortcut to FAFB on your Samsung mobile

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

30th December 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 training...

29th November 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, making the...

11th August 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 Winkler in Baar Switzerla...

16th June 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 a valuatio...

20th May 2020

Sailing by

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia UK Shipping map "Sailing By" is a short piece of light music composed by Ronald Binge in 1963, which is used before the late Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. A s...

14th May 2020

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 Isles due...

12th 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 usually buoy...

15th April 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 class types...

28th March 2020

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 boat. Whil...

28th March 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 mirror lig...

27th March 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 founder, W...

10th February 2020

Haddock fishing by anglers in the UK

Haddock Fishing by Rod in the UK Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a prized species among UK sea anglers, known for its delicate white flesh and strong fighting spirit. While traditionally targete...

5th February 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, quite lite...

17th December 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 a specifi...

6th November 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 Trials proj...