AS RNLI research reveals more fishermen die in January than in any other month of the year, the lifesaving charity has launched a hard-hitting campaign encouraging fishermen to make sure their boats keep them safe at sea.

The campaign features five short films which provide practical advice on how to keep fishing boats stable and highlight factors that lead to dangerous instability.

RNLI research shows the majority of deaths in the commercial fishing industry occur when vessel stability is lost.

RNLI figures show between 2010 and 2013 59 per cent of commercial fishing fatalities happened when boats capsized – and 30 per cent of deaths happened in January when seas can be rough and water temperatures are at their lowest.

The campaign is targeted at fishermen who work on vessels under 15m in length, as the majority of fishing-related fatal incidents (73 per cent) occurred on these smaller fishing boats.

The films can be viewed at RNLI.org/stability.

Emotive adverts are also being used, using the strapline ‘Dad’s gone fishing’. These adverts will appear on Facebook posts targeted at fishermen and their families and friends, in commercial fishing publications and websites, and on outdoor advertising space in fishing ports, including Weymouth.

In addition to the adverts, drinks glasses, coasters and coffee mugs have been produced to support the campaign and will be distributed to pubs and bars at fishing ports across the UK in January.

Between 2009 and 2013, RNLI lifeboats launched 2,555 times to incidents involving commercial fishing boats, rescuing 3,762 people.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

The campaign has been welcomed by Lyme Regis harbour master Grahame Forshaw.

He said: “All I ask is that for those people going out in small boats at this time of the year is that they make sure they are well prepared.

“Preparedness comes in many ways.”

He said paying attention to the weather forecast, wearing lifejackets and having personal locators could mean the difference between life and death.

He added: “Experience shows us with the weather last winter that it turns very, very quickly and if other preparations are not sorted then you could easily find yourself in a bit of trouble.”

He said it was also vital that boat engines are serviced, there is enough fuel on board and that someone on shore knows where you are going and when you should be back.

“It is all straightforward stuff but often people just disregard their personal safety with the thought of catching a few fish at this time of the year.”

He said fishermens’ attitudes to wearing life jackets were changing.

He added: “It was seen as not very macho to be wearing life jackets but local fishermen are getting the idea of safety first.

“And personal locator beacons can save your life. They are no bigger than a packet of fags but clipping those on a lifejacket can literally mean the difference between life and death in cold water.

“Another piece of equipment that could be vital in the event of a breakdown is an anchor because the last thing you want is to find you have no power and the boat begins to drift.

“The majority of those who use our waters are very responsible, but sometimes we need reminding of the basics.”

“We have lost a few divers, and a couple of anglers and a yachtsman who went missing in October. We are still losing people. One loss of life is a tragedy and we don’t want to see that happening in 2015 if at all possible.”

Lifeboat volunteers in Lyme Regis answered 31 emergency calls during 2014 exactly same number as the year before.

Mr Forshaw said he and his staff in the harbourmaster’s office were always ready to answer questions from sailors such as sea conditions, the prevailing weather and safety issues.