Coast Guard offers Commercial Fishermen Marine Safety/Survival Training, asking Oregon fishermen to sign up

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Coast Guard has scheduled marine safety and survival training in five different cities along the Oregon Coast and is offering six separate two-day trainings beginning Oct. 24.

The trainings are designed for commercial fishermen, not the general public, and are scheduled to be held on the following dates, at the following locations and with the following contacts for scheduling and questions:

Oct. 24-25 in Newport at the Englund Marine Store
Celia 541-574-6534, Ext. 57410

Oct. 29-30 in Garibaldi at the Garibaldi Fire House
Curt 503-240-9373

Oct. 31- Nov. 1 in Astoria at the Armory
Amanda 503-325-8573

Nov. 5-6 in Gold Beach at the Curry County Fairground’s Forestry Building
Steve Kee 541-756-9224

Nov. 7-8 in Charleston at Coast Guard Station Coos Bay
Steve Kee 541-756-9224

Nov. 13-14 in Newport at the Englund Marine Store
Celia 541-574-6534, Ext. 57410

The public is advised that flares, fires on the beaches and jetties, and smoke on vessels in port will be visible near these locations on the above dates as part of the training.

The training gives commercial fishermen the opportunity to receive valuable hands-on safety equipment and emergency drill training in select Oregon fishing ports leading up to the commercial Dungeness crab season.

Participants will practice with emergency equipment required onboard most commercial fishing vessels, such as personal flotation devices, life rafts, immersion suits, distress signals, EPIRBs and fire extinguishers. They will learn and practice man-overboard recovery procedures, abandoning ship, firefighting and flood control through onboard emergency drills and practical demonstrations.

“This is required training for documented commercial fishing vessels that operate beyond the boundary line,” said Curt Farrell, Coast Guard Fishing Vessel Safety Coordinator for Oregon and Southwest Washington.

“Fishermen who have already taken the course are encouraged to attend again to sharpen their skills. A refresher course is recommended every five years. A study by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health determined that after five years, the effectiveness of training in reducing fatalities declines significantly.”

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive certification to conduct emergency drills aboard commercial fishing vessels.

-USCG-

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
Office: (503) 861-6380
After Hours: (206) 220-7174
PA Detachment Astoria online newsroom