MMO will continue to support fishers in the roll-out of I-VMS
MMO is aware of statements and communications circulating across social media and in industry press regarding the Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) programme. Specifically, those relating to the recent decision to remove two devices that were confirmed as not meeting the required specification following independent testing.
Four devices were approved by MMO as part of the I-VMS process. For a device to be approved, suppliers had to provide documentation and assurances to confirm that their devices met the specification set out in the Functional I-VMS Device Specification of Requirements. This clearly set out the specification a device must meet in order to be Type Approved under this process, alongside which MMO issued clearly written I-VMS Type Approval Requirements of Participation that a supplier must meet in order to engage in this process.
All suppliers provided evidence that their devices met the specification required, with four devices Type Approved by MMO for fishers to choose from and claim grant support for, and roll-out began in early 2022.
In late 2022, issues were raised that devices being installed by some suppliers did not meet the required specifications. MMO acted by engaging an external expert contractor to undertake independent testing of all four devices, against the Functional I-VMS Device Specification of Requirements. The outcome of this independent testing is that two devices remain available to the fishing industry, and two devices have had their Type Approval revoked and will no longer by supported by MMO or the grant funding.
MMO’s priority is to support affected fishers who have bought devices in good faith, which do not to meet the required specifications for Type Approval, and for which Type Approval has been revoked. Those fishers will receive financial support to purchase suitable replacement devices. MMO is now working with the remaining Type Approved device suppliers to finalise arrangements which will inform approach to restart the I-VMS roll-out.
MMO is aware that Maritime Systems Limited, one of the suppliers who has had its Type Approval revoked, has released a formal statement through its Director, Mr James Glover. In this statement, Maritime Systems Limited make a number of comments that are not factually correct. MMO comments are as follows:
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MMO’s decision to revoke the Type Approval for the Maritime Systems device does not ‘stop’ any vessels fishing. The legal requirement for under 12 metre fishing vessels to have a Type Approved I-VMS unit fitted whilst fishing is not yet in force and will not be implemented until 2024. MMO has worked with Devon & Severn IFCA and colleagues in Welsh Government to ensure interim arrangements are in place for fishers that purchased a Maritime Systems device which allows them to continue to fish in these areas.
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MMO used an accredited independent testing company to undertake the independent testing of the I-VMS devices and secured the company through a competitive procurement process. Each I-VMS device was tested against the specifications set out in the I-VMS Functional Device Specification of Requirements and only those specifications. In advance of the independent testing, device suppliers were advised what would be tested, why the testing was necessary and how that testing would be conducted.
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MMO has treated all device suppliers fairly, consistently, and equitably throughout this process. All device suppliers have been given the same opportunities to address issues identified with their device through the independent testing.
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Maritime Systems Ltd has not been “singled out” for revocation or been treated differently or less favourably to any other device supplier. All four suppliers were informed of the outcome of independent testing of their devices on the same date, and all device suppliers were given the opportunity to meet with MMO and its independent tester to discuss the results. All device suppliers were also given an opportunity to provide MMO with proposals to fix the issues identified through the testing, and all four were advised that the fix proposals needed to be detailed and acceptable. It was made clear to all device suppliers that if they did not provide a plan, or if MMO was unable to accept the plan, then Type Approval for the device would be removed.
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Maritime Systems Ltd provided MMO with a fix plan in response to the failures identified with its device, however the fix plan provided did not give MMO the necessary confidence that issues with the device could be fixed and fixed within a reasonable timescale. The Type Approval was revoked as a result.
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MMO communicated its decision to revoke the approval of its device to Maritime Systems on Thursday 18 May 2023. In communicating its decision to revoke the approval for the device to Maritime Systems Ltd, MMO provided the company with an opportunity for it to make representations to MMO as to why it should not revoke Type Approval. MMO did not invite Maritime Systems Ltd to submit any further fix proposals.
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Satlink did not provide MMO with any proposals to fix the issues identified with its device. The Type Approval was revoked as a result.
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Two suppliers have retained Type Approval for their devices. The issues with these devices were less significant and both device suppliers provided MMO with detailed proposals to fix the issues identified, within a reasonable timescale.
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Maritime Systems Ltd has installed approximately 70% of all devices purchased by fishers so far - not 95% as has been stated. The cost of these devices, for which a grant from MMO is available, is £650 not £780 as has been stated, which has been funded through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and not the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) fund.