Successful Sea Trials

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC
19 December 2001

19 December 2001



  James Fisher's Latest Cable Layer 'Oceanic Pearl' Completes Successful Sea
                                    Trials



Barrow-based shipping group James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company has
taken delivery of the second of two cable laying vessels purchased for
conversion at the Viktor Lenac shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia.



Commenting, David B. Cobb, executive chairman of James Fisher, said today:
'Delivery of the Oceanic Pearl completes the conversion of two ships for cable
laying and means that with the Nexus, our first cable layer, currently
stationed in Victoria, British Columbia, we now have three such vessels with a
combined tonnage of 15,000 tonnes.



'Oceanic Princess, the first of the two specially converted vessels and
delivered in May of this year, is currently operating in the Far East.  Both
ships are on five-year charters.'



The two vessels are among the best equipped of their type in service today.
Cable deployment is monitored and controlled from a Makai suite of equipment
installed on the bridge adjacent to the DP control station.  There are
separate cable lay control rooms overlooking the main cable working decks on
both ships.  Fully air-conditioned accommodation is provided for 65 persons on
each vessel.  Separate lounges, recreation rooms, conference rooms and client
lounges are incorporated with gymnasiums an additional feature.



Press Enquiries:



David B Cobb, CBE
Executive Chairman
James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company
Tel: [phone]




Issued on behalf of James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company by Tavistock
Communications Limited (contact Keith Payne, tel: [phone]).