Gig Harbor BoatShop Announces Crew Member Training Program

The Gig Harbor BoatShop in Gig Harbor, Wash. is offering a purse seine vessel crew member training program for four days, beginning March 26, on fundamental commercial fishing crewmember training, in the classroom and on board commercial fishing vessels.

Experienced commercial fishing captains and crew will lead the hands-on program, including a U.S. Coast Guard-approved drill instructor safety-training course, Sea Safety and Survival.

The goal of the program, led by veteran purse seine captain Gregg Lovrovich, is to introduce basic skills required aboard fishing vessels, primarily purse seiners, and to provide participants a window into the onboard life of a commercial fishing crewmember.

The program is also intended to help commercial fishing skippers find qualified crew candidates.

Program participants are to be introduced to basics of net mending, navigation, line handling and on-desk skills on land and aboard fishing vessels, including the setting and hauling of a purse seine net from a Gig Harbor based seiner.

Participants successfully completing training are to receive a certificate and guidance in their search for crew positions.

An Alaska salmon purse seiner is limited to 58 feet in length and typically has a crew of four to six, including the skipper. Their fishing season runs from mid-June to early September and any given vessel’s participation varies in length within that window of time.

Crew live aboard the vessel for the entire season, often visiting Alaska communities like Petersburg, Sitka or Kodiak to unload fish and/or to get provisions. Crew are compensated on a share basis, a percentage of total catch.

For more program information or to register, visit the Gig Harbor BoatShop website www.gigharborboatshop.org or call (253) 857-9344.

Source: https://fishermensnews.com/gig-harbor-boatshop-announces-crew-member-training-program/