Training Summary:
The Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) places observers on commercial fishing vessels operating in waters off Maine through North Carolina, completing between 6,000 and 12,000 sea days per year. To meet the sea day schedule NEFOP must maintain a base of approximately 100 + observers. Authority to place observers on commercial fishing vessels comes from the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Commercial fishing is an inherently dangerous occupation; the importance of providing observers with up to date and high quality safety training is critical.
The objective of this training is to improve at-sea safety for all Northeast Fisheries Science Center Observers by providing them with up-to-date, comprehensive and high quality safety training. This includes both the initial safety training (Safety I) and follow up training (Safety II & III) every 18 months.
Scope of Work:
Fathom Resources designed a progressive, tiered marine safety program meant to improve at sea safety by utilizing the experience of fisheries observers as they advance through their careers. This unique program provides observers a current, comprehensive, high quality safety training, while delivering information in an interesting and useful manner. The safety program as a whole consists of three (3) progressive safety trainings:
- Safety I: Initial Observer Marine Safety Training, for new observers who may not have any prior sea going experience;
- Safety II: Advanced Observer Marine Safety Training, a comprehensive, expanded safety program subsequently conducted 18 months after the completion of Safety I training; and
- Safety III: Veteran Observer Marine Safety Training, for long term, highly experienced observers who have undergone both Safety I and Safety II trainings, successively conducted every 18 months.
Staff Safety Training Certifications:
- AMSEA certified Marine Safety Instructor Trainers
- AMSEA certified Drill Conductors
- S. Coast Guard approved Drill Conductor Trainers
- American Heart Association Certified First Aid/Adult & Child CPR/AED
- Hyperbaric International, Hyperbaric and Undersea Medical Training Certified
- National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology – Certified Hyperbaric Technician
- RI Emergency Medical Technician Licensed – Basic
- NAUI & PADI Certified Dive Instructors