Inspired by great-grandfather’s near death, scholarship winner hopes to make life safer for fishermen

Ben Collings-Mackay, a fourth-year business student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., and a fourth-generation lobster fisherman, is on a mission to revolutionize safety at sea with his innovative life-jacket design. Recently awarded the prestigious Frank H. Sobey scholarship, Collings-Mackay received $45,000 to further develop his business, CM Marine Safety Equipment.

Collings-Mackay’s passion for improving safety on the water stems from a personal tragedy that struck his family in 1958 when his great-grandfather’s colleague lost his life in a boating accident. This incident, coupled with a near-miss experience on his first day of fishing after his first year of university, highlighted the urgent need for better safety equipment for fishermen.

Inspired by these experiences, Collings-Mackay set out to create a life-jacket that is not only effective but also practical for commercial fishermen. His design features automatic inflation upon contact with water, a GPS tracking system to alert nearby boats and emergency services, and a strobe light for enhanced visibility. Working closely with engineers and lawyers, Collings-Mackay aims to file patent applications and develop a prototype of the life-jacket this summer.

The fishing industry has long grappled with a high number of fatalities due to the lack of personal flotation devices. Collings-Mackay’s project addresses this pressing issue by offering a solution that is both innovative and life-saving. With the support of his professors and investors, Collings-Mackay is determined to bring his product to market and make a meaningful impact on the safety of fishermen.

Despite facing academic challenges in his youth, Collings-Mackay has found his calling in entrepreneurship and innovation. His journey from struggling in math to majoring in accounting and launching a groundbreaking business reflects his resilience and determination to succeed. With a strong sense of purpose and a deep commitment to the safety of his community, Collings-Mackay is poised to make a lasting difference in the fishing industry.

As Collings-Mackay continues to push forward with his project, he remains grateful for the opportunities that the scholarship has provided him. With the unwavering support of his friends and family, Collings-Mackay is driven to create a safer environment for all those who work on the water. His dedication to saving lives and his entrepreneurial spirit serve as an inspiration to aspiring innovators and advocates for safety in the fishing industry.