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Bord Iascaigh Mhara

6 schemes tracked

Fleet Safety Scheme

The Fleet Safety Scheme provides grant funding to improve the safety standards of Irish fishing vessels. It is open to owners of vessels of all sizes registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats, with the aid intensity rate depending on vessel length.

Grant range
Max. €40,000 over three years
Funding level
40–60%
Support type
Grant
Last checked
3 Sept 2026
Start this application on Bord Iascaigh Mhara's website (opens in a new tab)

About this scheme

The Fleet Safety Scheme funds improvements to safety standards on board Irish fishing vessels of any size, owned by parties registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats. Aid intensity varies by vessel length, applied across all eligible expenditure types, subject to per-item maximum spend limits and funding frequency caps set out in a separate eligible/ineligible items list. The scheme falls under the EU de minimis Regulation (EU) 717/2014, capping total fisheries and aquaculture de minimis aid to a single undertaking across a rolling three-year period. From 1 January 2026 a National Register of fisheries de minimis aid records all such awards; until 31 December 2028 applicants must still self-declare other de minimis aid received. BIM checks cumulative de minimis totals both at application and at drawdown, and may reject or reduce funding if the cap would be exceeded. Beneficiaries must retain de minimis aid records for 10 years. Applications are submitted online through BIM's Grants Electronic Management System (desktop only).

Who can apply

  • Applicant must own a vessel registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats
  • Vessels of all sizes may apply
  • Aid intensity rate is 40% for vessels 12m+ LOA and 60% for vessels under 12m LOA, applied to all expenditure types
  • Maximum eligible expenditure limits and funding frequency limits apply per expenditure category (see eligible items list)
  • Scheme is subject to EU de minimis Regulation (EU) 717/2014 (as amended): total fisheries/aquaculture de minimis aid to a single undertaking is capped at €40,000 over any three consecutive fiscal years
  • Applicants must declare any fisheries de minimis aid received from other sources (current year plus previous two fiscal years) on the application form
  • Applications with capital items now covered under the EMFAF Sustainable Fisheries Scheme (from 30 Sept 2024) that could not be transferred may be considered via the appeals process

How to apply

  1. Apply online via BIM's Grant Electronics Management System (GEMS) at bim.flexigrant.com
  2. Complete the application using a desktop or laptop, as the form is not compatible with mobile devices
  3. Refer to the "Getting Started with BIM Online Grants System" guide or watch the BIM online grant registration video if help is needed
  4. For technical queries about GEMS, email BIM's Grant Help Desk