Our Program

The SENY Commercial Fishing Safety and Offshore Wind Training Program is a free training and placement initiative for up to 60 New York commercial fishermen, helping them gain three distinct training components, STCW Basic Safety Training, offshore wind project–specific training, and offshore wind market readiness training, at no cost, with all expenses covered including tuition, room, board, and transportation. Participants also receive a $1,000 stipend upon graduation to offset lost fishing income and are eligible for paid guard and safety vessel work aboard commercial fishing vessels when available.

This program is led by:

Sea Education New York – Local program lead, organizing training and outreach with fishermen.
Sea Services North America (SSNA) – A cooperative of fishermen, employing active crews as certified guard and safety vessel teams.
Ørsted – Funding partner for the Sunrise Wind project.
SUNY Maritime College – One of the nation’s top maritime colleges, delivering U.S. Coast Guard–approved STCW training.

Participants will receive:

Free STCW Basic Safety Training (firefighting, water survival, first aid, teamwork)
Fishing-specific safety enhancements that apply directly to daily fishing work
$1,000 stipend for completing training
Optional offshore wind orientation (vessel roles, navigation, safety protocols)
Support being considered for guard/scout vessel work when available

How it Works

Apply Online – Free and simple form for New York residents
Confirm Your Spot – Pick training dates that fit your fishing schedule
Earn Your Certifications – U.S. Coast Guard STCW + SSNA safety certification
After Training – SENY will notify you if guard/scout vessel work is available.

What You’ll Learn

STCW Basic Safety Training modules:

• Fire Prevention and Firefighting – How to prevent and extinguish fires onboard using real equipment

• Personal Survival Techniques – Practical water survival skills, including immersion suits, life rafts, and rescue drills

• Basic First Aid & CPR – Medical response for onboard emergencies

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibility – Workplace safety culture, communication, and teamwork

Additional modules:

• Fishing-specific safety orientation

• Optional offshore wind orientation (what the work looks like, vessel use, schedules)

• Optional offshore wind market orientation (industry structure, work cycles, and available roles)

• Technical skills useful for both fishing and offshore work (radar, AIS, comms, incident response)

Benefits of the Program

100% free training, no tuition or certification fees
$1,000 graduation stipend
Housing & meals covered during training
Recognized U.S. Coast Guard certification
Practical safety drills with real equipment (fire, survival, rescue)
Safety skills that improve daily fishing operations
Optional offshore wind orientation + extra income opportunities when projects are active