A BOAT deck safety campaign has been launched in the wake of the tragic death of a Morfa Nefyn fisherman.

Gareth Emlyn Jones died aboard his 36-foot vessel Ronan Orla on Sunday, 30 March, 2014.

The 36-year-old, known colloquially as Pod, got into trouble in the waters off Trefor after he’d been fishing for scallops and was pronounced dead on board an RAF rescue helicopter.

He died after he became entangled in a winch drum on his vessel which caused multiple injuries.

The RNLI’s Deck Machinery Safety Campaign has now been launched and comes as a direct response to the death of the Pen Llyn fisherman.

The RNLI has secured funding worth almost £230m in a joint venture between the European Marine Fisheries Fund and the UK Government. It is anticipated that funding for Wales via the Welsh Government will be officially launched in February. Four people have been killed and 85 people have been seriously injured by deck machinery in the last four years.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP, Liz Saville Roberts, who has helped launch the campaign, said: “I was pleased to join the RNLI at the launch of their deck machinery safety campaign, which comes as a direct response to the terrible death of Gareth Jones two years ago.

“Gareth was a fisherman born and bred whose one wish was to own his own vessel. Financial pressures led to him working alone.

“Fishermen are well aware of the dangers associated with going to sea on their own, but many find themselves in a position where they have no alternative. When he had his accident he had no means of escape and became tangled in the winch drum of his trawler.

“This European funding will enable fishermen to replace outdated and dangerous deck machinery, and fit emergency safety buttons or levers which stop equipment when they’re released.

“For the sake of your family and friends I would urge all those involved in the commercial fishing industry to fill in the forms and make sure this money is spent to save lives.”