Saving the Lives of Fishermen at NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

April 2, 2025

On March 24-25, Fishing Partnership Support Services, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health, safety, and economic security of commercial fishermen, their families, and their communities, brought free safety and drill training to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary's main campus in Scituate, Massachusetts.

a group of adults in a classroom setting — Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary staff transformed their annex building into a classroom for critical safety instruction to local fishermen provided by Fishing Partnership Support Services expert trainers, such John Roberts, retired U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain. Photo: Laura Howes/NOAA.

Commercial fishing can be a dangerous job at times, and requires good seamanship and knowledge of safety procedures. "Our commitment to the safety of the people whose livelihoods depend upon fishing on Stellwagen Bank extends well beyond the marine sanctuary boundaries," says Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Pete DeCola. "The skills being taught and learned today have and will save lives. That's why it's important for us to support the fishing partnership and the Coast Guard in their efforts to teach these survival skills and give fishermen the ability to train themselves to respond to emergencies on their vessels."

Three people wearing bulky, red, full-coverage bodysuits float in the water next to a life raft. — Fishermen participate in survival suit training in NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. A survival suit, also known as an immersion suit, is a waterproof, thermally insulated suit designed to protect individuals from cold water exposure, hypothermia, and drowning in emergency situations. Photo: Laura Howes/NOAA

The all-day safety and survival training course designed by Fishing Partnership Support Services welcomed commercial fishermen to learn or hone fundamental, hands-on survival skills, such as how to properly don and use a survival suit, making a MAYDAY call, lighting flares, and rescuing a person that falls overboard, as well as Narcan application training. Some fishermen spent a second day learning how to lead monthly, on-vessel safety drills that are critical for building muscle memory and ensuring the crew retains their skills. Sanctuary staff worked for months with the fishing partnership team to coordinate this critical safety training on-site. This event shows how NOAA's sanctuary collaborates with regional partners to enhance safety for those who rely on the expansive resources the sanctuary safeguards and manages.