NPFVOA Vessel Safety Program offers ten Coast Guard-approved hands-on safety training classes for mariners of all kinds, including commercial fishing, small passenger, workboat, and research vessel crews. Most classes are held in our classroom at Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, or onboard vessels. However, locations are flexible, and past classes have been held throughout Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. Each course is 8 hours in length unless otherwise indicated.
Fishermen and fishing vessels based in Washington are eligible for a 50% tuition rebate for many of our classes from the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial.
If you have a large group, but the posted dates won’t work for your schedule, contact us to schedule alternate dates.
STCW
STCW Basic Training
USCG-approved for 46 CFR Parts 10, 12, 15, and tables A-VI/1-1 through A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code
(5 days) $1320 members | $1350 non-members | Class Schedule
Each class is held at NPFVOA except the second day of firefighting, which is held at a local fire simulator.
PERSONAL SAFETY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (4 hrs)
- Complying with Emergency Procedures
- Taking precautions to Prevent Pollution of the Marine Environment
- Observing Safe Working Practices
- Understanding orders and Being Understood in Relation to Shipboard Duties
- Contributing to Effective Human Relationships on Board Ship
- Fatigue and its effects on your body and mind
PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES (12 hours)
- Principles of Survival at Sea
- Preparing for Emergency Situations
- Lifesaving Equipment
- Evacuation
- Helicopter Assistance
- Distress Signals
- Emergency Radio Equipment
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AT SEA (8 hours)
- Scene Assessment
- Bloodborne Pathogens/Infectious Diseases
- Patient Assessment at Sea
- Vital signs
- Shock
- Life Threatening Conditions
- Toxic Environment
- Hypothermia
- Medevac
- Practical Exercises
BASIC FIRE FIGHTING (16 hours)
First day of class is 8 hours at NPFVOA which covers:
- Theory of Fire
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Detection
- Firefighting Equipment
- Ship Firefighting Organization
- Ship Firefighting Strategy and Tactics
- Hands-on Field Exercises
Second day of class is 8 hours of hands-on field exercises at a local fire simulator.
- Field Exercises: Pump fire with dry chemical and water; car prop with carbon dioxide; trough fire with foam extinguisher.
- Burn Building Exercises: Maze with self-contained breathing apparatus; hotel search and rescue with SCBA; class A fire with all-purpose nozzle and applicator; class B fire with all-purpose nozzle and applicator.
Medical Emergencies at Sea
USCG-approved for First Aid and CPR licensing requirements 46 CFR 28.210 and STCW Elementary First Aid
$140 members | $155 non-members | Class Schedule
This specialized class focuses on the unique problems encountered in performing first aid at sea, where the victim has only his crewmates to depend on. Training by medical professionals includes hands-on practice at patient assessment, CPR, AED, wound management, transporting the injured, medevacs and other emergency medical procedures. Course concludes with a practical scenario.
First Aid and CPR certification is valid for two years.
Basic Fire Fighting
(16 hrs, 2 days) $710 members | $730 non-members | Class Schedule
Satisfies the STCW Basic Training Firefighting requirement
The first day of class is spent at NPFVOA learning fire prevention, detection, equipment and firefighting strategies. Participants learn fire control theory and gain experience at using portable fire extinguishers, SCBAs, fixed fire suppression systems and water hoses.
The second day of class is hands-on practice at fighting fires under very realistic circumstances at a local fire simulator.
Personal Survival Techniques
(12 hrs) $385 members | $405 non-members | Class Schedule
- Principles of Survival at Sea
- Preparing for Emergency Situations
- Lifesaving Equipment
- Evacuation
- Helicopter Assistance
- Distress Signals
- Emergency Radio Equipment
Personal Safety & Social Responsibility
(4 hrs) $140 members | $150 non-members | Class Schedule
- Complying with Emergency Procedures
- Taking precautions to Prevent Pollution of the Marine Environment
- Observing Safe Working Practices
- Understanding orders and Being Understood in Relation to Shipboard Duties
- Contributing to Effective Human Relationships on Board Ship
STCW Basic Training Refresher
(3 days) $1025 members | $1050 non-members | Class Schedule
STCW Basic Training Refresher is a 3-Day Coast Guard approved course, including:
- Medical Emergencies at Sea (8 hrs.)
- Personal Survival Techniques (8 hrs.)
- Basic Fire Fighting (8 hrs.)
Successful completion of this three day course demonstrates continued proficiency in Basic Training in accordance with STCW Code Part A.
STCW Basic Training Revalidation
(2 days) $950 members | $975 non-members | Class Schedule
The Basic Training Revalidation course is a 10-hour course designed to provide professional mariners with a refresher of the basic maritime personal survival and fire prevention/firefighting skills, which fulfills the 2010 Amendments to the STCW Code, as amended, training requirements as listed in CG-CVC Policy Letter No. 12-07. Any attendee who has successfully completed this course will satisfy the minimum standard of competence in personal survival techniques and fire prevention and firefighting of Table A-VI/1-1 and Table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code, as amended, provided he or she has been previously certified per Section VI/1 of the STCW Code, as amended, and presents evidence of 1 year of service within the past 5 years to the USCG.
STCW Medical Care Provider
(4 days) $1400 members | $1500 non-members | Class Schedule
Satisfies USCG Medical First Aid training requirements of Section A-VI/4 and Table A-VI/4-1 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR 12.13-1.
Medical first aid providers conduct a primary and secondary survey of a sick or injured crewmember, immobilize the patient, and begin immediate treatment to preserve life – typically done prior to seeking radio medical advice. This STCW advanced course teaches the knowledge and skills to perform these duties effectively. Prerequisite: Elementary First Aid.
(8 hrs) USCG-approved for 46 CFR 28.270 $200 members | $225 non-members | Class Schedule This course is intended for shipboard personnel who are responsible for conducting a vessel’s monthly required drills. A minimum of one certified drill instructor is required onboard. The certification has a five year expiration date. Topics covered include: (8 hrs) Cost depends on crew size, see chart USCG-approved for 46 CFR 28.270 This full-day course is conducted on board your vessel and is designed to help crews develop effective emergency response plans and to practice realistic drills based on the vessel’s own safety equipment and mode of operations. To make this hands-on training as realistic as possible, crews use a variety of lifesaving equipment provided by NPFVOA and their own vessels, like “smoke” to simulate an onboard fire. Anyone participating will receive a Drill Instructor card.DRILL
Emergency Drill Instructor Workshop
Onboard Drill Instructor Workshop
Crew Size
Members
Non-members
1-9
$1200
$1500
10-24
$1600
$1900
(8 hours) $140 members | $155 non-members | Class Schedule USCG-approved for First Aid and CPR licensing requirements 46 CFR 28.210 and STCW Elementary First Aid This specialized class focuses on the unique problems encountered in performing first aid at sea, where the victim has only his crewmates to depend on. Training by medical professionals includes hands-on practice at patient assessment, CPR, AED, wound management, transporting the injured, medevacs and other emergency medical procedures. Course concludes with a practical scenario. First Aid and CPR certification is valid for two years. (4 days) $1400 members | $1500 non-members | Class Schedule Satisfies USCG Medical First Aid training requirements of Section A-VI/4 and Table A-VI/4-1 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR 12.13-1. Medical first aid providers conduct a primary and secondary survey of a sick or injured crewmember, immobilize the patient, and begin immediate treatment to preserve life – typically done prior to seeking radio medical advice. This SCTW advanced course teaches the knowledge and skills to perform these duties effectively. Prerequisite: Elementary First Aid. (3 hrs) $65 members | $75 non-members | Class Schedule This class is designed for office personnel. Attention is on common injuries and illnesses that can occur and trains the worker to call 911 and stabilize the co-worker until help arrives. This class meets all OSHA and WISHA requirements for first aid/CPR in the workplace, and is approved by the Department of Labor and Industries.MEDICAL
Medical Emergencies at Sea
STCW Medical Care Provider
Workplace First Aid & CPR
SURVIVAL
Personal Survival Techniques
(12 hrs) $385 members | $405 non-members | Class Schedule
- Principles of Survival at Sea
- Preparing for Emergency Situations
- Lifesaving Equipment
- Evacuation
- Helicopter Assistance
- Distress Signals
- Emergency Radio Equipment
Safety Equipment & Survival Procedures
(8 hrs) $280 members | $300 non-members | Class Schedule
This Coast Guard approved, hands-on course covers survival theory using visual aids, in-the-water exercises with immersion suits, man-overboard retrieval devices, an inflatable liferaft and an array of other survival gear. Instruction includes survival-at-sea techniques, search and rescue procedures, and treatment of hypothermia. Hands-on training covers signaling devices, man-overboard and abandon-ship emergencies, and cold water survival techniques.
In-the-Water Survival Training
(approx. 2 hrs) Cost depends on class size and location
This class will teach you how to don an immersion suit, abandon ship, and enter a liferaft. Call (206) 285-3383 to schedule or for more information.
Shipboard Damage Control Training
(8 hours) $365 members | $375 non-members | Class Schedule
This course teaches all of the basic requirements needed to conduct successful damage control in a controlled environment. There is a classroom session given on the investigation of damage. The hands-on training sessions consist of shoring principles, layout, plugging, pipe patching, and dewatering. During the afternoon session the students are given a wet battle problem to control.
This class is taught at the Bremerton International Emergency Service Training Center in Bremerton, WA.
FIREFIGHTING
Basic Fire Fighting
(16 hrs, 2 days) $710 members | $730 non-members | Class Schedule
Satisfies the STCW Basic Training Firefighting requirement
The first day of class is spent at NPFVOA learning fire prevention, detection, equipment and firefighting strategies. Participants learn fire control theory and gain experience at using portable fire extinguishers, SCBAs, fixed fire suppression systems and water hoses.
The second day of class is hands-on practice at fighting fires under very realistic circumstances at a local fire simulator using a variety of props.
Team Firefighting
(8 hrs) Cost depends on crew size | Class Schedule
Call (206) 285-3383 to schedule.
MARITIME ESSENTIALS
Navigation: Collision Avoidance
(8 hrs) $150 members | $200 non-members | Class Schedule
This fundamental course is recommended for the beginning seaman and as a refresher for the experienced mariner with instruction on the following topics: Watchkeeping standards Overview: The “Rules of the Road” Analysis of crew casualties and the lessons learned from these events Voyage planning/chart problems
Marine Weather Workshop
(8 hrs) $150 members | $200 non-members | Class Schedule
This course covers using weather forecasting tools and data to navigate safely in adverse condtions.
- Ocean Prediction Center’s (OPC) warnings analyses, and forecast products
- Secrets to interpreting OPC’s 500 Mb charts
- How to properly display and analyze marine weather analysis and forecast chart information for timely and prudent decision making
- Surface pressure analyses and forecasts
- Wave formation, propagation, and decay and the impact differences between breaking and non-breaking waves
- How to integrate weather reports to minimize duration of encounter of adverse conditions
- “Rules of Thumb” for avoidance
Marine weather communications and weather resources at sea – from HF single sideband radio-facsimile charts to e-mail access and the OPC internet.
Fishing Vessel Stability
(4 hrs) $175 members | $200 non-members | Class Schedule
Topics covered:
- Stability terminology
- Factors Affecting Stability
- The Stability & Trim Booklet
- Stability Model Demonstrations
- Stability Calculations
HAZWOPER
HAZWOPER Hazardous Materials Technician
(24 hrs) $425 members | $450 non-members | Class Schedule
NPFVOA has teamed up with American Environmental Services, LLC in order to provide HAZWOPER classes, as required under 29 CFR 1910.120. Classes are scheduled monthly or by request.
HAZWOPER Refresher
(8 hrs) $200 members | $225 non-members | Class Schedule
The required annual 8-hour refresher of the 24-hour training. Held monthly on the first or last day of the 24-hour class.
SHIPYARD COMPETENT PERSON
Shipyard Competent Person
This course is taught by an NPFA certified marine chemist.
The requirements to perform the duties of an SCP can be found in 29 CFR 1915.7. The SCP must be able to understand the directions and instructions left by the NFPA certified marine chemist; have knowledge of the subparts of 29 CFR 1915; know the structure and location where work is to be performed on vessels and within shipyard location; must understand how to use testing equipment and how to accurately interpret the results of required instrumentation as well as how to post results and maintain records.
In order to be recognized as a qualified SCP to work on US Navy vessels one must successfully complete an initial 3-day course and receive annual 1-day classes taught by an NFPA certified marine chemist.
8-Hour Shipyard Competent Person Refresher
This one-day annual refresher is required to keep an SCP certification current. This course is taught by an NFPA certified marine chemist.
OTHER
Shipboard Watertight Door and Hatch Training
(4 hrs) Cost depends on class size
| Number of students | Cost per person | |
| 3-6 | $300 | |
| 7-10 | $250 | |
| 11-24 | $225 |
This hands-on training shows how to perform maintenance on doors, hatches and scuttles. The class stresses the importance of using proper repair parts and shows examples of the dangers of performing improper “fixes.” This information is a must for all size vessels!
This class is taught at the Bremerton International Emergency Service Training Center in Bremerton, WA, or onboard your vessel.
Scope of Training:
- Doors and hatches; their uses, types and location
- Disassemble various watertight doors, perform maintenance, adjustments and chalk test
- Disassemble individual watertight doors, perform maintenance, adjustments, and chalk test
- Make adjustments to scuttle, review parts list for doors, hatches and scuttles
- Debrief, clean up and critiques
Specimen Collection Certification
(3 hrs) $150 members | $175 non-members | Class Schedule
This class provides the appropriate training and proficiency testing to allow vessel personnel to conduct specimen collections according to the regulations described in 49 CFR Part 40.
This certification is valid for five years.