Disposal

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC
16 September 2005



                            James Fisher & Sons plc

                       ('James Fisher' or 'the Company')

            Sale of Cable Layer 'Oceanic Pearl' for US$20.1 million





James Fisher, the marine services provider, announces that it has agreed to sell
the Cable Laying vessel 'Oceanic Pearl' to KS Ocean Pearl a company in the
Shipman Group Norway for US$20.1 million. Delivery of the ship is scheduled to
take place in Norway on 3 October 2005.



The vessel, which has been in lay-up since 2002, benefits from the income of a
charter to International Telecom, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, payable
until December 2006. The vessel is being sold free of the remaining charter
income, amounting to US$8.2 million, which is being retained by James Fisher.
Oceanic Pearl had a book value of £20.87 million at the end of August 2005.  The
proceeds of the sale will be used towards repaying the mortgage debt of £11.74
million on the ship.



Tim Harris, Chairman of James Fisher, said :



'This is a further and important step in the transformation of James Fisher into
a marine services company. It has been our clear and stated strategy to reduce
our exposure to the cable laying market at the right time. This year there have
been signs of greater interest in the ships for use in the seismic market, as
illustrated by this disposal. Whilst it is very difficult to predict whether
conditions will continue to improve, I believe that it is right and prudent to
take this opportunity to sell the Oceanic Pearl. The Oceanic Princess, our other
cable layer, also benefits from the income of a charter to International Telecom
which is payable until May 2006. '



ENDS



For further information, please contact:

James Fisher and Sons plc                           020 7338 5808
Tim Harris, Chairman

EC Hambro Rabben & Partners                         020 7355 4100
Eivind Rabben

Binns & Co PR
Peter Binns                                         020 7153 1477/ 07768 392 582
Paul McManus                                        020 7153 1485/ 07980 541 893










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