Alaska Marine Safety Education Association

11/04/2025

"I've worked on various boats for the last seventeen years and my range of safety knowledge was based off how much the captain and crew wanted to share with me. I didn't know how to deploy a life raft, test the EPIRP, and never paid attention to the fire extinguisher locations or fuel/air shut off for the engine room. After taking the AMSEA course in 2019, hearing the instructor's first hand sinking experience, listening to the radio distress calls, watching the videos of sinking ships, I realized how lucky I was to have never been in an emergency situation at sea. The course taught me invaluable knowledge of what to do in various situations that could happen to any mariner at any time.

Now, when I step on a vessel, I can find the EPIRB, life raft and fire extinguishers, I am no longer dependent on others. Knowing my husband and I have taken an AMSEA course gives me a sense of confidence out on the water I do not take for granted, and makes taking our baby out even more enjoyable."

- Emily Buehrig

We always appreciate hearing stories like this that show the impact of AMSEA’s safety training.

10/29/2025

Preparation keeps you afloat. Learn the essentials of skiff safety.

Register for AMSEA's Skiff Safety course in Sitka on November 15: https://www.amsea.org/classes/1086924

10/28/2025

There are three components to a good drill:
​
1. Orienting all crew members to the vessel.

2. Giving crew members instructions that detail what they should do in the event of an emergency.

3. Conducting the actual drill!

Under the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act, crews working beyond 3 miles offshore have to practice things like abandon ship, fire response, man overboard recovery, and flooding control at least once a month.

Read more about drills here:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/part-28

10/25/2025

We are two days away from our next Safety & Drill Conductor Training in ! During this Alaska Marine Safety Education Association training, you will learn lifesaving skills to manage emergencies at sea. PLUS fishermen who attend are eligible for a 50% off rebate for a lifejacket through our Lifejackets for Fishermen program with the Northeast Center Commercial Fishing Health & Safety. Check out fishingpartnership.org/calendar to register TODAY!

10/22/2025

When something goes wrong at sea, there is rarely time to think. Preparation can mean the difference between making it home or not, and that is why AMSEA’s training matters.

For many years now, AMSEA has been teaching the real, hands-on skills mariners need in the moments that count, including emergency drills, survival training, first aid, cold-water safety, man overboard response, and more. Our instructors are mariners who understand life on the ocean. Their experience, combined with your support, has helped bring countless fishermen and boaters home to their families.

If you would like to stand with us in this work, please consider becoming a member:

https://amsea.wufoo.com/forms/z1ddwdsh0nvdbef/

10/17/2025

Boating Safety Tip - Visibility!

As the days grow shorter and evenings arrive a little earlier, hunters, anglers, and boaters are reminded to plan ahead and stay visible on the water.

A bright, reflective PFD makes it easier to be seen during dark fall evenings. And, making sure your vessel is visible is just as important. Between sunset and sunrise boats are required by law to display navigation lights. These lights prevent collisions and help others understand your vessel’s position and direction.

Required navigation light configurations for different types of vessels are outlined in the COLREGS (Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook):

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/navRules/navrules.pdf

10/16/2025

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD EXTENDED!
🦐🦀 Calling All Young Fishermen of Area E! 🐟🐙
Are you looking to level up your knowledge, skills, and network? Don’t miss the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit happening January 20–22, 2026! This summit is a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with fellow fishermen, and gain valuable tools to grow your fishing business.
👉 CDFU is offering scholarships to help get you there — and we want to see Area E well represented!
🗓️ Scholarship applications are due November 24th, 2025
🎓 Open to young, active fishermen from Area E.
📩 Apply today online through CDFU and feel free to message us with any questions! https://cdfu.org/ayfs

10/13/2025

Thank you to all our incredible trainees who traveled to Sitka for the Marine Safety Instructor Training course! Over the week, participants gained hands-on experience with flare demonstrations, effective teaching methods, and more.

A huge thank you to our dedicated instructors for putting on the MSIT and to all participants for sharing their knowledge, and passion for teaching marine safety!

10/03/2025

Our staff traveled to Prince of Wales last week to teach marine safety at the Naukati and Thorne Bay schools. We were fortunate to have students from neighboring towns make the trip to join the training.

Over the course of the week, students learned hands-on skills including shelter building, cold water survival, fire building, signaling, and more.

A big thank you to the Southeast Island School District for helping make it all possible!

10/03/2025

Crewmember training program kickstarts fishing careers !! 🐟

Starting out as a commercial fisherman can be intimidating. Long hours, rough weather and the demands of working in close quarters make the job challenging. Training for young can help provide a pathway to success. 🌊

AK On-Board is a series of regional hands-on workshops that provides new crewmembers the knowledge, skills, safety training and confidence they need to succeed. The program is led by Alaska Sea Grant in partnership with the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association - ALFA, Alaska Marine Conservation Council and other regional partners. 🤝

“This program is designed to support beginning crew, because that is where most successful commercial fishing business owners started,” said Gabe Dunham, Alaska Sea Grant’s fisheries specialist. “Our mix of experienced partners and a regionally-responsive approach have created exciting opportunities for young people, and it’s really rewarding to see our attendees learn and connect with the industry.”

Read the full story via the 🔗 link below. alaskaseagrant.org > News

🔗: https://alaskaseagrant.org/2025/09/crewmember-training-kickstarts-fishing-careers/

09/25/2025

Commercial fishing is physically demanding and dangerous at times. It can take a toll on fishermen’s bodies, leading to chronic pain and injury. To manage pain, fishermen may be prescribed opioids or other addictive painkillers, seeking immediate relief. The addictive nature of these medications can trap individuals in a cycle of dependency. This is a growing concern in the fishing industry.
It is essential to promote alternative pain management methods that do not carry the risk of addiction.

www.necenter.org/fishing

Fishing Forward Podcast: https://m.soundcloud.com/fishingforwardpodcast

You can also find the Fishing Forward Podcast on most major streaming apps.

Full summary report: www.necenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Summary-Report-FINAL_web-1.pdf

Fishing Partnership Support Services
New England Young Fishermen's Alliance
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association
Maine Coast Fishermen's Association
Maine Lobstermen's Association
Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association
Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries

09/24/2025

Curt Brown is a commercial lobsterman and marine biologist with Bold Coast Seafood in Maine. Leann Cyr is the executive director of the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) and a health and safety researcher. Bob Rheault is the executive director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association and a long-time shellfish farmer in Rhode Island. Scott Hickman is a Texas-based charter and commercial fisherman who chairs the Texas Sea Grant Advisory Board.

The U.S. maritime economy is growing faster than the economy as a whole, supporting over 2.6 million jobs and contributing USD 511 billion (EUR 434 billion) to the nation’s GDP.

From lobster docks in Maine to oyster farms in Florida, kelp farms and commercial fisheries on the West Coast to maritime training in Alaska, charter fishing in the Gulf to inland shipping in the Great Lakes, America’s coastal and freshwater industries are fueling economic growth, feeding families, and sustaining communities.

Read more:

The Sea Grant program is key to the U.S. seafood sector’s continued growth