Instructor Fred Mattera of Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island goes over the proper way to enter the water – protect your head from hitting the side of the vessel.
By Doreen Leggett
Ray Rowell was at Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich talking to a few captains working on their boats. One of them mentioned they were looking for crew, a consistent problem on the Cape. Conveniently Rowell was running a Fishermen Training program nearby. Eight people went through the training that ran from May 18 to May 20 taught by Fred Mattera and Mitch Hatzipetro of Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island. Check out our gallery.
Instructor Mitch Hatzipetro of Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island talks about items commonly located in a locker on a boat.
Karson Gilley, a student at Monomoy Regional High School who fishes on F/V Unicorn, attempts to plug a leak in training apparatus borrowed from the Coast Guard.
Luke Kellett attempts to plug a leak with a bicycle inner tube using duct tape that Mattera said is like an American Express card – never leave home without it.
Caleb Patterson, of Nantucket, practices his May Day calls while Kellett looks on.
Richard Levine practices knot tying, which is a key piece of the course as boat anchors, gear and buoys need to be secure.
Along with a gift card to Cape Fishermen’s Supply in Chatham, attendees received “Beating the Odds,” which includes real-life examples of how to survive bad weather, fatigue, person overboard, onboard fires and more.
Che McEnroe practices getting into his survival suit.
Kellett, a commercial fisherman and diver who is heading to Alaska to fish for the summer, quickly dons his suit. Rowell, who organizes Fishermen Trainings at the Fishermen’s Alliance, looks on.
Kellett makes the jump.
One of the training exercises involves attendees making a ring so they can be seen by rescuers.
Mitch Hatzipetro showed the group various types of flares.
The group practices safely using flares at Harding’s Beach in Chatham.