March 12, 2018 — The following was released by Fishing Partnership Support Services:

Fishing Partnership Support Services is a non-profit organization devoted to the health, safety and economic security of commercial fishermen and their family members.

Among the current free programs it has scheduled are two trainings this month in Massachusetts. A team of U.S. Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors will lead both programs.

A summary of the programs is provided below:

Safety and Survival Training for Commercial Fishermen; Thursday, March 22, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

Hands-on training offered at no cost to commercial fishermen by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Trainers are Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Includes on-board firefighting, man overboard recovery, rescue helicopter hoist procedures, flooding and pump operations, proper use of survival suits, life rafts and accompanying equipment. Pre-registration recommended.  Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Drill Conductor Training for Commercial Fishermen; Friday, March 23, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Harbormaster’s Office, 100 Central St., Marshfield

One-day course meets latest drill conductor certification requirements for commercial fishermen.  Offered at no cost by Fishing Partnership Support Services.  Conducted by Coast Guard-certified marine safety instructors.  Participants must have attended safety/survival training within past 12 months; upon successful completion, they will be certified to conduct emergency drills.   Session includes classroom instruction and practice drills aboard local vessel.  Pre-registration recommended. Contact: Lori Caron, 781-635-0011.

Scary and True

Falls overboard are the most common causes of death for fishermen at sea, which is why the Fishing Partnership always includes a module in its training programs devoted to showing fishermen how to recover a crew member who has gone overboard.  There are specific steps that must be taken immediately after a fall overboard.  According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 545 commercial fishermen in the U.S. who died from 2000 to 2010; of those fatalities, 170 (31%) died because they fell overboard.

That is why Man-Overboard Recovery Procedures are one of the centerpieces of Safety and Survival Training.

In addition to the topics listed above, this training also includes a module on Basic First Aid.

Drill Conductor Training – What Is It For?

Prepares and certifies fishermen to conduct emergency drills at sea.

Federal regulations require monthly drills on commercial fishing boats operating beyond the U.S. boundary line.

Emergency situations addressed in this training include: Man Overboard; Fire; Damage Control; Abandon Ship.

There will be an emergency procedures class in the morning and practice drills aboard a docked vessel in the afternoon.