Washington Sea Grant is holding a two-day Skills and Drills Course for new or beginning commercial fishermen in South Bend, Washington. This course is geared towards individuals interested in learning the necessary skills to enter the commercial fishing industry. No experience is required. 

This year’s course will cover a broad range of topics, with a particular focus on skills relevant for the Dungeness crab fishery. Skills taught will include:

• Steel welding triage
• Fiberglass triage and repair
• Pot gear 101 and repair
• Line splicing
• How to read current conditions, a tide book, and bar crossing 101
• Vessel basics, terminology and application
• Knot tying
• Grappling hook practice

Safety drills will include:

• Using the radio and Maydays
• Fire fighting
• Flooding control
• Survival suit, life jacket and raft training
• First aid

View a draft course agenda.

This course is made possible through support from the NOAA Young Fishermen's Development Act and the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Fund.

When:

Day 1: Monday, September 28, 2026 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Day 2: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

(Participants must attend both days)

Where:

Bendiksen Landing

313 Robert Bush Drive

South Bend, WA

Who: 

Anyone ages 18 and up who is interested in gaining basic skills that may be required onboard a West Coast commercial fishing vessel. 

Cost:

Thanks to generous support from the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Fund, this course is FREE for anyone who is a current fisherman or is seeking a commercial fishing job within the next year. For non-commercial fishermen, the cost is $100.

What to bring: 

Working clothes, deck boots and rain jacket (we will be boarding a vessel and may have some outside sessions). Coffee, lunch, and all training materials and equipment will be provided.

Pre-registration is required. Registration is limited to 18 participants.

For more details, contact Bridget Trosin, bemmett@uw.edu.

Washington Sea Grant is committed to providing access and accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To make a request connected to a disability or health condition contact Bridget Trosin at bemmett@uw.edu.

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Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Washington Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states.

waseagrant.uw.edu