Trading Statement

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC
27 November 2000


                  James Fisher Trading Update



Excessive  operating delays, which are outside  the  Company's
control, combined with higher fuel prices and extreme  weather
patterns,  will lead to this year's second half results  being
below  the  level achieved in the second half of 1999,  states
James Fisher and Sons Public Limited Company.

Despite  these  present difficulties, which the company  hopes
will   not  be  repeated  next  year,  David  Cobb,  Executive
Chairman, remains 'optimistic' about the medium term  outlook.
He says:

'The  Group balance sheet remains strong and the trading  cash
flow  positive.  Strong progress has been made this year on  a
number of fronts and the new investments, particularly in  the
purchase  of two cable layers, on firm long term charter  from
next  year, will bring solid additional benefits in  2001  and
beyond.

'Other promising developments include the addition of a diving
support  vessel  now  also  fixed  on  time  charter  and  the
company's participation in the contract announced by  the  MoD
regarding  six  new RoRo vessels for the Ministry's  Strategic
Sealift Service.'


Press Enquiries:    David B Cobb CBE
                    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]).