Washington Sea Grant Plans Commercial Fishing Skills and Drills Course

Washington Sea Grant officials are launching a new two-day Skills and Drills course for people who want hands-on experience performing tasks that may be required on a West Coast commercial fishing vessel.

The Feb. 13 announcement said the course is scheduled for March 27-28 at Bendiksen Landing in South Bend, Wash. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Skills and Drills is part of a project funded through the Sea Grant Young Fishermen’s Career Development Program to enhance the commercial fishing workforce in Washington. Washington Sea Grant said it’s also is planning a December 2025 conference for fishermen and crew, to prepare the next generation for a successful career in commercial fishing.

The course is to cover basics of welding fiberglass repairs, vessel handling, navigation, maintenance of inboard and outboard engines, fishing gear repair (including net mending and knot tying), marine hydraulics, marine electronics and vessel cleaning and safe product handling.

Anyone age 18 and older interested in learning the necessary skills to participate in the commercial fishing industry is welcome, according to Sea Grant. No prior experience is needed.

The cost is $100. Contact Robert Maw at rmaw@uw.edu for scholarship information.

Participants should bring work clothes, deck boots and a rain jacket, as instruction will be aboard a vessel and may have some outside sessions. Coffee, lunch and all training materials and equipment will be provided.

Space is limited to 24 participants. Pre-registration is required, and can be done online at bit.ly/wsg-skills-drills.

Source: https://fishermensnews.com/washington-sea-grant-plans-commercial-fishing-skills-and-drills-course/