‘Safety first’ is the mantra for everyone affiliated with Sea Services North America.

That concept is evident in the required training of the commercial fishing crews who work with us, the equipment we provide them, and the continuous preventive maintenance of systems and vessels that we demand. Earning the international Oceantic Network 2025 Program of the Year award for Health, Safety & Environment is also a clue to outsiders that we take the safety of fishermen fairly seriously.

We recently extended our commitment to the safety of fishermen worldwide with a significant donation to the Inernational Fund for Fishing Safety, a project of The Seafarers’ Charity.

The International Fund for Fishing Safety is a global maritime safety fund supporting practical, locally led fishing safety projects that reduce injuries, prevent fatalities and protect livelihoods; a critical part of sustainable fisheries.

As noted by the Seafarers’ Charity, “there are 39 million fishers in the world and it remains one of the most hazardous jobs on the planet, with an estimated 32,000 fatalities every year and the vast majority of fishers still work without basic safety training.”

Our donation made Sea Services North America the first North American partner to join this international mission to improve the safety, health and welfare of fishers around the world.

“I’ve been a commerical fisherman for more than 50 years and I’ve seen senseless losses because training and safety precautions were ignored,” said Gary Yerman, Co-Founder and Fleet Manager of Sea Services North America. “The U.S. has standards for fishermen and their boats but there’s room for improvement, and I know that in other countries standards are worse or even non-existant. I’m happy to be part of the effort to improve safety for my fellow fishermen here and across the globe.”

Alan McCulla, IFFS Project Director, noted that Sea Services North America has taken a leading role in expanding this effort.

“Sea Services North America is joining a growing international mission to improve the safety, health and welfare of fishers around the world,” McCulla said. “This reflects a growing realization that the international maritime industry can help its own – global fishers – who represent the majority of the world’s seafarers, but who have too often been forgotten when it comes to safety, health and welfare.

“IFFS exists to help close that gap, supporting locally led projects that turn safety standards and good intentions into real change on the water. The support of partners such as Sea Services North America helps us extend that work further, reaching more fishing communities and helping more fishers return home safely. We are grateful for their commitment to global fisher safety.”