Acquisition

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC
01 November 2006


For release                                                     01 November 2006

                            James Fisher and Sons plc
                        ('James Fisher' or 'the Company')
                                        
                                  Acquisition
                                        
James Fisher (FSJ/LSE), the UK's leading marine services provider, announces the 
acquisition of Gjerde Lofteteknikk AS ('Gjerde') for a total consideration of 
NOK 8.0 million Norwegian Kroner (£644,400), payable in cash at completion. The 
acquisition is being funded out of existing resources.

This purchase further strengthens James Fisher's growing Offshore Services 
activities in Stavanger and Aberdeen and is the fifth acquisition made by the 
Company in this sector since 2001.

Gjerde is a privately-owned company situated in Stavanger on the Norwegian West 
Coast.  In the 8 months to 31 August 2006 Gjerde had a turnover of NOK 17.6 
million (£1.42 million) and pre-tax profit of NOK 1.6 million (£129,000).

Gjerde provides specialist equipment to customers in the Norwegian and UK sector 
of the North Sea, designing and customising lifting equipment and cranes for 
sale and rental to the offshore rig and subsea market. Current products provided 
to the offshore oil services industry by James Fisher include compressors, 
steam generators, power packs, winches and the HydroDigger excavation tool.

Gjerde's range of customers, comprising offshore oil operators, subsea operators, 
drilling and oil companies, are predominantly the same as those to whom the James 
Fisher's subsidiaries, Scan Tech in Stavanger and Fisher Offshore in Aberdeen, 
already provide a variety of other services,  In addition to augmenting Gjerde's 
existing presence in North Sea markets, geographical expansion is planned for 
Gjerde into the developing oil areas of the former Soviet Republic, Mexico, 
West Africa and elsewhere.

Gjerde will become part of James Fisher's existing Scan Tech operations under
its Managing Director, Chris Stevens, who is based in Stavanger.  Gjerde's 
Managing Director Kare Stokkeland and a staff of 10 will remain with the Company.

EC Hambro Rabben and Partners Ltd acted as corporate finance advisors for the 
acquisition.


For further information, please contact:

James Fisher and Sons plc    Tim Harris, Chairman                  020 7338 5808
www.james-fisher.co.uk

Scan Tech AS                 Chris Stevens, Managing Director     0047 515 45454

EC Hambro Rabben &           Petter Hagland                        020 7355 4100
Partners                     Kristine Tveteraas

Adventis Financial PR        Peter Binns                           020 7034 4765




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