Following two successful Safety-At-Sea training summer partner programs, New York Sea Grant was awarded with both a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding support and outreach by the US Coast Guard and the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium Outstanding Outreach Achievement Award.

As seen in this video clip, a reception was held to honor the program in late-October 2011 at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. During this event, workshop organizer NYSG’s marine fisheries specialist Antoinette Clemetson and her partners received praise from the U.S. Coast Guard appreciation for reinstating this training for fishermen after a ten year hiatus. Captain Joseph M. Vojvodich, US Coast Guard regional commander of Sector Long Island Sound, presented New York Sea Grant with a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding support and outreach.

"I would like to commend the New York Sea Grant program for your efforts in advancing commercial fishing vessel safety through coordination of the Safety-At-Sea workshop held the past two years in Montauk, NY," said Vojvodich. "The program has significantly advanced the Coast Guard’s marine safety mission and undoubtedly helped prevent tragedies within the commercial fishing vessel fleet."

The workshop provides a unique experience for over 60 commercial fishermen each year to receive valuable training and undergo examinations of safety equipment in an informal environment. During each of the daylong workshops, fishermen learned how to deploy life rafts, don immersion suits, give Mayday calls as well as learn life-saving tips about fire fighting, flooding and pump operation and the use of flares and other warning systems.

"The lessons learned during the hands-on training with lifesaving gear, damage control measures, and firefighting equipment will not soon be forgotten by the participants," said Vojvodich.