New lifejackets with built in GPS trackers are being offered as part of the first national safety campaign for the fishing industry.

Over the last ten years, there have been 53 deaths of fishermen in Irish waters out of a total of 3,500 workers.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is aiming for a target of no deaths in the fishing industry after four people drowned just last year.

David Massey was a crew member on board a fishing boat that sank last April off the coast of Wicklow.

He was wearing a lifejacket with a built in locator beacon and activated it once he was in the water.

The boat’s skipper, Gerry Copeland, says the lifejacket and training from BIM saved his life.