Purse Seine Vessel Crew Member Training Program

‘Crew School’

The Gig Harbor BoatShop Purse Seine Vessel Crew Member Training Program

Watch for Spring 2025 Dates

9am - Approximately 5pm Daily

$100

Crew School will teach you basic crew member skills and provide an authentic glimpse of what crewing aboard an Alaskan Purse Seine commercial fishing vessel is all about.

‘CREW SCHOOL’

  • Will introduce you to commercial fishing, specifically purse seining, and commercial fishing as a potential career that satisfies as few jobs can.

  • Is an introduction to the fundamental skills required aboard a purse seiner and the basic skills necessary for many other commercial fishing jobs including the basics of net mending, navigation, line handling, and on-deck skills.

  • Includes three days of crew training and one day of USCG-approved Sea Safety and Survival (Drill Instructor) training, all at an affordable rate.

  • Will help you decide if commercial fishing is for you prior to leaving the dock. You’ll spend time aboard a purse seiner, train with experienced skippers and crew, and get a feel for what a commercial salmon season entails.

Participants that successfully complete the training will receive a certificate of completion as well as Sea Safety Drill Instructor certification


©G. Lovrovich

©G. Hoppen


Course Description:

‘Crew School,’ is designed to provide fundamental commercial fishing crewmember training; in the classroom, aboard commercial fishing vessels and in the historic Ancich Netshed on Gig Harbor’s waterfront. USCG approved safety training course Sea Safety and Survival (Drill Instructor) is also included. Experienced commercial fishing captains and crew will lead the hands-on program.

The four day program, three days led by long time purse seine captain Gregg Lovrovich and one day led by USCG-approved sea safety course instructors, will take place in Gig Harbor, Washington and on the waters of south Puget Sound beginning Tuesday, March 26th, 2024. The program goal is to introduce basic skills required aboard fishing vessels, primarily purse seiners, and to provide participants a window into the onboard life of a commercial fishing crewmember. In addition, the program is intended to help commercial fishing skippers find qualified crewmember candidates.

Date and Time:

Crew Training: TBD

Safety Course: TBD

Minimum Criteria to Register:

  • Participants must be able to work in a physically challenging environment.

  • Participants must be 18+ and capable of passing a background check.

For more information call Gig Harbor BoatShop at (253) 857-9344 or email info@gigharborboatshop.org

 Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation 7 days prior to course start date = full refund

  • Cancellation less than 7 days prior to the beginning of class, you forfeit 50% of the course fee 

  • If you cancel/no show the day of class, you forfeit 100% of the course fee

  • No refund or credit available after the first day of class

We reserve the right to cancel the class before start date if minimum enrollment is not met or in cases of emergency. A full refund will be given in the event a workshop is cancelled by the Gig Harbor BoatShop. Because of this policy, we strongly urge participants to obtain refundable airline tickets or flight insurance. The Gig Harbor BoatShop will not be responsible for any loss on non-refundable airline tickets or hotel stays.