Sponsor Statement for HB 13

"An Act relating to marine safety training and education programs."

January 20, 1997

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) has been operating in the State of Alaska for 12 years. The primary purpose of this organization is to reduce the loss of life and injury in the Alaskan marine environment by providing education through a statewide network of qualified marine safety instructors.

AMSEA provides the safety training required by the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act of 1988 to communities throughout Alaska. The Act, which took effect in 1991, requires a minimum in safety training and equipment for commercial fishing vessels.

AMSEA also helps Alaskans by providing marine safety instructor training some of whom teach drill instructor courses. Other marine safety instructors also train the Alaska boating and fishing public, including many children and adults, in marine safety. Of the 7300 people AMSEA trained in 1995, 2000 were from the commercial fishing industry, 3700 were children.

According to a study conducted in 1995 by the Native Health Service, AMSEA training significantly reduced fatalities among commercial fishermen. This coincides with a 50 percent drop in fishing fatalities in Alaska in the prior four years.

AMSEA is a nonprofit, community-based information and training network, supported by many volunteers. Its annual budget has ranged from $100,000 to $250,000 in the past five years. It has been receiving 100 percent of its funding from federal grants but last year's funding fell to $50,000 and the number of people training fell to an all time low. This organization deserves our intervention to ensure long-term funding source stability.

The Fishermen's Fund (AS 23.35.060) was created before statehood. One hundred percent of the fishermen's fund is funded by commercial fishing license fees. Sixty percent of license fees are dedicated to this fund. Since commercial fishermen are often the beneficiaries of the required marine safety training, it is appropriate to allow part of the interest on the fund to be used to fund some of AMSEA's marine safety programs.

It is estimated that the Fishermen's Fund generates approximately $450,000 in interest a year. By way of this legislation, AMSEA is requesting up to approximately $225,000 a year. If this bill passes budgeted, AMSEA will increase its efforts in boating safety in interior regions of the state, as well as sponsor training to State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers who are in a position to enhance water and boating safety in areas where they operate.