Observer training: safety and mental health
– The vessel tour – Sæbjörg
Speakers: John LaFargue and the crew of Sæbjörg
Date and Time: Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 08:10 – 12:00
Location: Sæbjörg – Grandagarður 8
Observers face many challenges and risks while deployed on a variety of vessels worldwide. They must deal with infectious disease, cultural differences, stress, fatigue, isolation, unsafe vessels and sometimes even violence. Programs have the task of helping observers to cope with these factors through support, training, technology, and equipment. This session will explore some of the issues faced by observers and how programs can help reduce the risks associated with observing.
This workshop is for max 80 participants. After an introduction about the school and other knowledge about observer safety, then divided into three groups.
Fire prevention, introduction to equipment and teaching methods: fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, the puzzle course, fire extinguisher simulators. Two stations.
Sea rescue, introduction to equipment and teaching methods: life-saving suits, man-on-board equipment, rubber lifeboats, helicopter rescue, etc.
At all stations, participants are given the opportunity to handle equipment, ask questions, and if they wish, they can be allowed to do something extra, such as going into the sea or putting on a smoke diving device. Everyone gets to go through each station, and we estimate about 45 minutes per station.
EM – workshop
Speaker: Mark Michelin
Date and Time: Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 08:30 – 12:00
Location: Harpa – Silfurberg
It has been approximately 25 years since the first electronic monitoring (EM) systems were deployed on fishing vessels and there are now several thousand systems installed around the globe. Interest in deploying electronic monitoring where its efficacy, operational feasibility, and cost effectiveness can be demonstrated continues to grow, but there is significant operational complexity and stakeholder dependencies that must be addressed for successful EM implementation. The increasing number of EM pilot projects and programs is revealing common, and sometimes underappreciated challenges, as well as approaches to overcome them. It has also resulted in a growing body of standards, frameworks, and other resources that can inform the development of new EM programs.
This workshop will bring together experts from a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss some of the typical challenges for EM programs, how program stakeholders have addressed them, and explore how approaches such as EM data standards and technical guidance can be applied to the development or refinement of EM programs.
A Law Enforcement: Ensuring a Safe Work Environment for Observers
Speaker: Jaclyn Smith
Date and Time: Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 13:10 – 15:30
Location: Harpa – Silfurberg
This innovative workshop will explore the process of developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective risk reduction strategy to ensure a safe maritime work environment for observers. The risk reduction strategy developed by the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement Alaska Division is based on the Routine Activities Theory, which suggests crime occurs when there is a convergence of a suitable target, the absence of a capable guardian, and a likely offender. The risk reduction strategy addresses each one of these three elements, through the collaboration of multiple government agencies and non-government organizations who are committed to protecting observers. During this innovative workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from these agencies and organizations to understand their role in the risk reduction strategy. The Suitable Targets element focuses exclusively on observers. It will include guidance from individuals who prepare observers for deployments in the maritime environment such as the North Pacific Observer Program and the Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Regional Coordinator. The Likely Offenders element focuses on how crimes against observers are investigated and how criminal investigators from NOAA and attorneys who prosecute the cases hold offenders accountable. The Capable Guardians element will focus on bystander intervention, early detection, and communication/conflict resolution; it is how we can all work to ensure a safe work environment for observers.