Every year around 100,000 people die in fishery-related accidents on a global basis. Many professional fishermen refuse to wear a life vest because it gets in the way, even though they are perfectly aware that they will probably not survive a fall overboard.
Johan Møller wants to do something about this. But rather than simply creating a new product and hope it will solve all the problems, the design student travelled to Lofoten and joined fishermen on their small boats. This enabled him to closely observe the work on board. He interviewed several fishermen and participated in rescue exercises.
Photo: Johan Møller
Reluctant to wear a life vest
He learnt that few fishermen wear a life vest despite the minimal chance of survival in a man overboard scenario. One of the reasons is that their work on board involves the use of knives, which could easily accidentally get too close to the vest and ruin it. Another reason is the concern that equipment and tools might get attached to the vest in such a way that they might be hauled overboard.
Having assessed various ideas, the designer began the work of creating prototypes. Above all the vest needed to be comfortable to wear. It also needed to have an outer protective layer to prevent it being ruined by a knife during work.
A functioning prototype called Home Again was tested by fishermen in Lofoten. Many came up with suggestions for improvement, and many expressed a wish to buy it.
Personal on the inside
Among the design features is a slimmer inflatable unit and a wider neck opening. The design also eliminates the need for a strap between the legs. The hardwearing synthetic fibre Kevlar guards against knife cuts.
On the inside, Johan Møller has placed a pocket for a photo of a loved one – with the idea that such reminders may contribute to safer conduct. The plan is for each vest to be personalised with the name of the boat and the fisherman, along with a photo, delivered by the manufacturer as a part of the order.
Vision: zero drowning
The Norwegian Maritime Authority has established an objective of eliminating accidental drowning in the fishing industry. If Home Again goes into production, there is a good chance it will save lives.
The product could also help to maintain small-scale fishery as an attractive industry along the coast.
Johan Møller has been in touch with the two biggest manufacturers of life vests, and they have shown an interest. If the product reaches the production stage, he plans to design a version for women and one adapted for the left-handed.
Brief facts about the project
Home Again: Functional life vest for professional fishermen
By: Johan Møller, Master of design, The Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Design disciplines: Industrial design, Design research
Recipient of the DOGA Award
This project has received the DOGA Award for Design and Architecture for its outstanding qualities and for showing how strategic use of design and architecture create important social, environmental and economic value.
These are two reasons why this is an exemplary project:
- Life-saving design
Survival at work has got to be a minimum requirement for a decent work environment. Better life vests will mean that more professional fishermen will wear them – thus lives are saved. The life vest is also ‘home’ to an emergency locator transmitter, rope cutter and mobile phone, all vital aids in an emergency.
- Safeguards an important industry
Small boat fishing is the very basis of existence in many Norwegian coastal communities. By making fishing from small boats safer, Home Again would help to protect the most important source of income in many small communities along the Norwegian coast. Small boat fishing is also a more sustainable fishing method compared with trawling and other large-scale fishing.
