ALASKA MARINE SAFETY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

The U.S. Coast Guard is giving OCMIs (Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection) the discretion to defer many commercial vessel inspections and exams up to 90 days, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes commercial fishing vessel safety dockside exams, according to Marine Safety Information Bulletin 09-20, released on March 26, 2020. This may be good news for commercial fishermen, concerned about not meeting the training requirements of 46 CFR 28.270(c). AMSEA has had to cancel many Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor classes this spring due social distancing requirements adopted in response to COVID-19. The local OCMI will address individual vessels on a case-by-case case. The OCMI's wi

Yesterday, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy issued Health Mandade 10 and it has commercial fishing boat operators, shoreside processors, and transportation businesses scrambling to meet its requirements. The short version is that the mandate requires anyone traveling from out of state to Alaska to self-quarantine themselves for two weeks upon arrival in state. Those in self-quarantine must work from home unless they "support critical infrastructure". Critical infrastructure is defined in Attachment A of the mandate and includes, "Food and agriculture, company cafeterias, cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing." If you are planning to bring in employees from out of state before May 1, "yo

Like every other business, AMSEA is having to adjust its operations as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. A quick look at our class schedule shows a number of cancelled classes and we anticipate that we will have to cancel additional classes. AMSEA is committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and the public at large. We are also committed to our mission to save lives at sea through relevant, effective, and available marine safety training. With that in mind, we are leaving currently scheduled classes on the calendar. We will conduct classes, limit class size, and cancel classes according to federal, state, and local safety requirements and guidelines for publi

As the nation grapples with school closures, business closures, and limits on social contact associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, maritime industries are not immune. The U.S. Coast Guard issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin 06-20 over this past Friday, reminding vessel operators of their responsibility to report ill crew or passengers to both the Coast Guard and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Illness of a person onboard a vessel that may adversely affect the safety of a vessel or port is a hazardous condition per 33 CFR 160.216 and the owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge must immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP). It is critical t