ALASKA MARINE SAFETY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Lovers of the printed NOAA Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables publications will soon have an empty spot in their hearts and on the pilothouse bookshelf. NOAA has announced that the 2020 edition will be the last. Coast Guard acceptance of online and electronic services providing tide and tidal current predictions have made the publications redundant. However, one person’s redundant publication is another’s contingency plan in case the electronics fail. Fear not, you can still download NOAA tidal and current predictions for many (if not all) of the places you plan to sail. Navigate to https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html and pick the state or region for which you want tida

Mandate 17 from the State of Alaska requires that a vessel fly a to fly a “'Lima' flag or similar yellow and black pennant" if a vessel is under self-quarantine or returns to port with a sick crew member aboard. In order to help commercial fishermen obtain Lima flags, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association has announced on the BBRSDA Facebook page that they will be providing their members with Lima flags ahead of the salmon season at no cost. Other commercial fishermen can obtain Lima flags from brailer bag manufacturer, NOMAR for a cost of $10.00 each. Click the links for additional information. AMSEA had no affiliation with NOMAR and does not endorse their products. We are s

As the summer salmon season approaches, the State of Alaska has issued its health and safety guidance for commercial fishing vessels, in Health Mandate 017: Protective Measures for Independent Commercial Fishing Vessels. There's quite a lot to take in. So, if you plan to operate a commercial fishing vessel in the State of Alaska, on or after April 24, click the links below and start reading. Health Mandate 017 – Protective Measures for Independent Commercial Fishing Vessels Appendix 01, the Alaska Protective Plan for Commercial Fishing Vessels (PDF) Appendix 02, Mandate 017 Acknowledgement Form

To help you navigate the new operating environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have published a list online resources for vessel operators on our new COVID-19 Resources web page for your easy reference. Thanks to CDC/NIOSH for sending us a list of resources from around the country for commercial fishermen. Available resources include safety information, templates for developing vessel mitigation plans, information on financial assistance, and more. While many of these resources are from regional organizations, much of the information should be useful regardless of where you operate. If you know of online resources for your area to add to the list, please send us a link in our C

Discovery Health MD has just released onboard procedures for catcher boats and tenders to prevent the transmission of coronavirus when the salmon season get underway in the coming months. The procedures, a product of their collaboration with Alaska fishermen and fisheries groups, include a draft procedures manual, a draft checklist for captains, a number of handouts for crew education, and a notice from the State of Alaska on the use of cloth masks during air travel. Click the links below to download these documents. In addition, Discovery Health MD forwarded an email from Tom Koloski at the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management with the following information: "Whil

We are gratified to receive the support of everyone one that supports AMSEA through an annual membership. However, we need to acknowledge a membership renewal from United Fishermen of Alaska and a new membership from Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. Both organizations advocate for commercial fishermen and fisheries in Alaska and we're proud to have their support! United Fishermen of Alaska has been an AMSEA member for seven years, but they have been around a longer than that. Since 1974, UFA has advocated for all commercial fishing gear groups, science-based fisheries management, and industry safety. UFA has been a strong voice for commercial fishermen to the legislature and the public at large.