May 16, 2013 — The Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership will be conducting free safety and survival training for commercial fishermen on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester, 17 Harbor Loop. The day-long training is conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel safety instructors.
This hands-on training includes instruction in: on-board firefighting, man overboard procedures, damage control, flood and pump procedures, donning and use of immersion suits, flares and EPIRBS, life raft deployment, emergency communications and emergency first aid. Fishermen should bring their own survival suits. Training suits will be available for those that do not have them.
“The recent tragic losses of four fishermen is a grim reminder of the inherent dangers of our industry,” said Capt. Sebastian Noto of the Gloucester-base fishing vessel Grace Marie. “This training program is an opportunity for area fishermen to get hands-on knowledge and experience on how to deal with the kind of life-threatening emergencies they are likely to encounter at sea.”
Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Ocean Marine Insurance Agency. This training is supported by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Team (NCOIC) and the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership (MFP).
Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times