It is reported that the commercial fishermen are invited to sharpen their safety skills during hands-on training Friday at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology. It is told that the safety workshop is free which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is the last of the year. To date, 928 people have participated in the program.
According to the information during the workshop, Coast Guard-certified drill instructors will provide training in firefighting, man-overboard procedures, flood and pump operation, immersion suit donning, and life raft deployment. A Coast Guard helicopter will visit the training grounds. Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd. in partnership with Ocean Marine Insurance Agency Inc. and Smithwick & Mariners Insurance Inc. are sponsoring the workshop.
The organizer asked the fishermen are asked to bring their own immersion suits if they have them. A new immersion suit will be raffled off at the workshop, compliments of the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission. The program is supported by the Coast Guard, SMAST, the Harbor Development Commission and New Directions Southcoast Inc. Certified trainers represent the following organizations: IMP Fishing Gear Ltd., Blaney Marine Safety, Life Raft & Survival Equipment, North East Safety Training Co. and Marine Safety Consultants.
