By the Journal of Commerce

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a 10-hour fishing vessel safety and drill conductor course Feb. 10 at the Job Corps Auditorium in Palmer.

This course, which is U.S. Coast Guard approved, is open to all mariners, whether or not they fish commercially. There is no cost to licensed commercial fishermen. The cost is $125 for association members who are not commercial fishermen, and $175 for others.

Participants will practice with emergency equipment that should be onboard any commercial fishing or other sizable vessel, such as PFDs, life rafts, immersion suits, EPIRBs and fire extinguishers. Participants will also learn and practice emergency procedures like man overboard, abandon ship, fire fighting and flooding control. Those who have already taken the course are encouraged to attend again and refresh their skills. Those interested in this course or wanting additional information should contact AMSEA at (907) 747-3287. There is also information available on the Web at www.amsea.org.