National Fishing Safety Training Infrastructure

This project enhances both the quantity, quality, and availability of safety training for commercial fishermen in under-served regions of the United States. Train-the-trainer classes are being held to train instructors able to teach in rural Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico and the SE regions of the U.S. In addition, the project provides new instructors with peer-to-peer training, designed to provide mentoring and share effective instructional methods, as well as demonstrate new safety technology (life jackets, emergency signals) that can be shared with fishermen.

Additionally, the project seeks to reduce the risk of work related illness to workers in the commercial fishing industry by conducting ergonomics training to commercial fishermen. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of injuries in commercial fishing. This two-year project is in its first year and is funded by NIOSH and the United States Coast Guard.