The Coast Guard is offering six two-day sessions for marine safety and survival training in five cities along the Oregon Coast beginning Oct. 24.
Flares, fires on the beaches and jetties and smoke on vessels will be visible on the above dates and are part of the training.
The training will give commercial fishermen hands-on safety and emergency drill experience in select fishing ports ahead of the Dungeness crab season. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive certification to conduct emergency drills aboard commercial fishing vessels.
“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.”
The training is designed for commercial fishermen and not the general public. Trainings will be held at the following locations and a contact number is included for scheduling:
- 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
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.
