WHAT: Commercial fishing drill conductor course
WHEN: March 28 at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Coast Guard Sector San Diego located at 2710 N. Harbor Dr.
SAN DIEGO — The media is invited to a free one-day commercial fishing drill conductor course for 15 local fisherman hosted by the Coast Guard, in partnership with the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, Saturday.
The course will include interactive drills and instruction relating to personal safety gear, safety regulations, emergency drills, dewatering pumps, rescue preparations, cold water survival, marine fire fighting, and damage control procedures.
The Coast Guard has a long standing goal to reduce fatalities in the commercial fishing industry. This is done through at-sea boardings, free “no fault” voluntary dockside examinations and outreach events such as the drill conductor course.
Commercial fishing vessels operating beyond three miles from shore will be required to be examined and verified to be in compliance with existing safety regulations by October 15, 2015. Trained Coast Guard marine inspectors verify compliance through dockside exams which are conducted nationwide and increase the overall safety posture of vessels.
Having a qualified drill conductor perform the drill and instruction aboard a vessel fulfills federal regulations and assists vessel operators with compliance.
For commercial fishing vessels operating within three miles from shore or if operating beyond three miles prior to October 15, the Coast Guard recommends that vessels undergo and successfully complete a voluntary dockside exam and have a Coast Guard safety decal placed on the vessel. Successfully completing the exam will better ensure the safety of the vessel and crew, and the provided decal may reduce the chances of a vessel boarding.
For more information on the Coast Guard’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program or to schedule a free, voluntary dockside exam visit http://www.fishsafe.info or call your regional fishing vessel safety examiner at:
San Diego (619) 278-7249
Los Angeles, Long Beach & Orange County (310) 521-3744
Santa Barbara and Ventura (805) 962-7430
Editor's note: Media may contact James Stellflug at 619-278-7249 for more information.