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Maritime safety remains a critical concern globally, with lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems at risk due to insufficient safety practices. Recognising the challenges faced by fishers in Indonesia, where many vessels lack essential safety equipment, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê researchers, in collaboration with Indonesian academics from the University of Pattimura and ITS, have introduced a groundbreaking safety device.

This marks a significant advancement in personal safety technology from the same team that won the RINA Maritime Safety Award in 2023 for creating an app that evaluates fishing boats' stability using Android phone sensors.

Dr Andrea Grech La Rosa, spearheading the initiative, explained that traditional safety equipment often does not meet the specific needs of active fishers due to cost, lack of awareness by the fishers not knowing that they exist and cost implications in terms of buying and maintenance. The FisherAid addresses these issues head-on by utilising low-cost, easily accessible materials such as motorcycle inner tubes, cable ties, and repurposed soft drink bottles.

This open-source buoyancy aid is designed to be customisable and low-profile, inflating only upon immersion to provide buoyancy without hindering mobility and help daily fishing activities to help push the uptake of the FisherAid.

The impact of FisherAid extends beyond its functionality. Community engagement workshops held in Surabaya and Ambon have played a critical role in refining the device's design. These workshops served as a platform for education on sea safety, collaboration on design improvements, and real-world testing of the FisherAid by local fishers.

"The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive," noted Dr Grech La Rosa. "Over 70% of workshop participants expressed their interest in adopting this innovative solution, which not only enhances safety but also supports their daily fishing activities with practical, customisable features."

The success of FisherAid could set a precedent for maritime safety innovations worldwide, demonstrating the power of community-focused, practical interventions in addressing global challenges. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê continues to lead the way in collaborative research and technological innovation, with ongoing support from the Lloyd's Register Foundation, ensuring that safer maritime practices can be a reality for vulnerable communities globally.