A Week of Energy, Expertise, and Impact: AMSEA’s Marine Safety Instructor Training

In April, we wrapped up one of the most rewarding — and yes, exhausting — programs we offer: the Marine Safety Instructor Training (MSIT). These train-the-trainer courses have a unique way leaving us energized by fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a shared commitment to safety on the water.

Our most recent MSIT took place in Sitka in early April, bringing together eight dedicated participants who traveled from across the country, including Rhode Island and communities throughout Alaska such as Yakutat, Homer, Anchorage, and Kake. The logistics weren’t simple — we even changed the training location at the last minute (thank you for your flexibility, everyone!) — but that shift opened the door to a richer, more hands-on experience.

Learning from the Best

This training was led by an outstanding instructional team: Rick Petersen, Rob Hulse, and Katy Pendell. It was a pleasure to welcome Rob for his first Sitka MSIT. Rob’s vast experience and natural teaching style made every session engaging and memorable. Rick kept the pace steady through a packed schedule, showcasing such a wide range of teaching techniques and methodologies that students will emulate in their own classes. Katy incorporated not only boating experience but also aerial silks skills into lessons on injury prevention and ergonomics. 

Hands-On, Real-World Training

Throughout the week, students stepped beyond the classroom. At the Blatchley Middle School Pool, they tested different PFDs, practiced group survival formations in immersion suits, and climbed into a liferaft from the water.

A visit to the USCG Air Station Sitka provided an inside look at helicopter rescue operations. AST James Rotz demonstrated rescue equipment and shared real-world insights that brought these life-saving techniques into focus.

Back at AMSEA headquarters, participants practiced patching holes using the damage-control trailer and worked through live-fire scenarios. The day concluded at Silver Bay with a flare demonstration under perfect weather conditions. Watching a parachute flare drift over the water was a powerful reminder of the tools that can make all the difference in an emergency.

We received full support from the AMSEA team and had some unforgettable moments outside the classroom, including boat rides and a home-cooked meal at a float house, generously hosted by Leann and Woody Cyr.

Connecting Policy to Practice

We were fortunate to hear from Jennifer McGraw, who delivered a clear and engaging overview of her work with the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Detachment. Her session helped demystify dockside exams, at-sea boardings, and the regulatory framework that governs commercial fishing vessels operating beyond the boundary line.

Community Support and Lasting Impact

This training wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the University of Alaska Southeast, which hosted us for a full week despite our long hours and large footprint on campus. 

At the end of the week, four new instructors co-taught a Drill Conductor class for six local fishermen in Sitka. This was an incredible milestone and a testament to how quickly this training translates into real-world impact.

Marine Safety Instructor Trainings are at the heart of what we do at AMSEA. They allow us to extend our reach through a growing network of skilled, passionate instructors who bring life-saving knowledge back to their communities. The ripple effects of this work are often invisible - but that’s the goal. When training is effective, emergencies are prevented, risks are reduced, and lives are quietly protected.

To our newest instructors: welcome to the AMSEA team. The knowledge you share and the confidence you build in others will shape safer outcomes on the water for years to come.