Fish Safe NS can often be seen at community events throughout Nova Scotia, including Dock Street Days in Shelburne, where it was promoting safety in the fishing industry. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentAs a commercial lobster season gets underway in southwestern Nova Scotia again, fishing captains and crews have been taking advantage of an offer from Fish Safe Nova Scotia to conduct the five mandatory safety drills with them, which are required by Transport Canada Marine for all fishing vessels to know, perform and document.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe drills include Man Overboard, Medical, Fire, Flooding and Abandon Ship and must be completed by the captain and the crew, says Gary Hunt, safety coordinator for Fish Safe Nova Scotia.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“Fish Safe NS will walk through each drill with the captain and crew, with hands-on instruction for each drill specific to the vessel they work on,” says Hunt. “Each drill will be hands-on for all crews. Hands-on learning is the best way for adults to learn, and we do our best to make each session fun.”Article contentHunt says Fish Safe brings “Bob, who has eaten way too many orders of fish and chips over the summer period,” along for the man overboard drill. Weighing about 165 pounds in his wet overalls, the captain and crew retrieve Bob out of the water as part of the drill.Article content“If you have immersion suits as part of your required safety equipment, you will be rewarded with a special gift if you are the fastest of your crew in donning your suit in one minute or less. Not only bragging rights, but something extra,” says Hunt.Article contentIn addition to the drills, Fish Safe NS will also check to confirm the vessels’ safety equipment is in order, help document the drills (from Tab 4 of its Wheelhouse Safety Logbook), and leave the captain with the paperwork for the vessel.Article contentArticle content“You have to keep those documents on hand in case of inspection,” says Hunt.Article contentThe complete session lasts about an hour and a half, says Hunt.Article content“All Fish Safe NS asks is to help spread the word, to tell another vessel captain that you know. Your captain, crew and families will thank you for practicing your emergency drills.”Article contentFish Safe NS is also planning some town hall-style meetings in the next few months to review some changes to regulations for all businesses, including fishing vessels, fish processors, buyers, and aquaculture operations, said Hunt.Article contentFish Safe NS offers rebates and discounts to its members and associate members for life raft inspections, immersion suite inspections, PFD purchases, and a variety of training courses, including Marine Advanced First Aid, Marine Basic First Aid, Standard First Aid, Mental Health for the Workplace, Forklift Operator Certificate, as well as industry-specific safety training, occupational health and safety manual and prevention programs.
Fish Safe N.S. offering free emergency drills for all fishing vessels in Nova Scotia
