Why take an AMSEA Drill Conductor course? In the video below course participant Captain Scot Gilliland of the F/V Hazel Lorraine and AMSEA instructor Steven Campbell explain "why" in an interview with PA1 Kurt Frederickson of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Drill Conductor class in Kodiak, AK on January 9, 2009.
The courses provide practical information on the survival
equipment found on most commercial vessels and on conducting emergency onboard drills. Skills are learned in
a hands-on format.
Both courses meet the training requirements for commercial
fishermen operating on documented vessels beyond the Boundary
Line. Everyone who successfully completes these courses is issued a Drill Conductor Card that serves as proof of compliance with USCG training requirements. The cards currently are valid in perpetuity.
Successful course completion also earns sea
time toward licensure.
Drill Conductor course participants practice quickly donning immersion suits in preparation for abandoning ship. Photo: Deborah Mercy
Ten-hour courses are designed for 10 or fewer participants, can be conducted onboard a vessel, and may or may not include training exercises in the water.
The 18-hour course accomodates up to 20 participants, frequently incorporates a pool or harbor exercise, and allows time for more in-depth content than does the 10-hour course.
Below: Members of the Kuzmin family experience boarding a life raft while wearing immersion suits during a Drill Conductor course.
Topics covered
in both the 10-hour and 18-hour version include:
Fire Fighting
Liferafts
MAYDAYs
Immersion
Suits & PFDs
Flares
Emergency
Drills
Cold Water
Survival Skills
EPIRBS
As of December 2008, AMSEA had trained over 8,200 mariners in these
courses. Participants' responses to the courses are overwhelmingly
positive because of the instructors' level of first-hand knowledge
and the relevance and hands-on format of the material.
Drills courses are available on demand for any group of
at least six people in any location in Alaska.
Above, Drill Conductor course participants practice assigning duties to crew members in the event of an emergency. Photo: Steve Dashew
Thanks to funding from the U.S. Coast Guard and NIOSH, course fee waivers are currently available for commercial fishermen!
For all others, cost for the 18-hour course is $200.00; the 10-hour course is $175.00. AMSEA members receive $50.00 off either course. For information about becoming a member of AMSEA, please see the Membership Page.
