THE REAL DEAL

Had a chance to take a commercial fisherman's survival course up in New Bedford, MA last week. The tourist section of the town if quite nifty and there're more than a couple of good bars and restaurants. But the rest of the town is a serious commercial fishing port.

The guys that attended the seminar, put on by UMASS' School for MArine Science and Technology (SMAST) and primarily sponsored by the Harbor Development Commission of New Bedford (with help from State, Federal and private industry) has turned out nearly 900 fishermen, some of whom have returned to thank the instructors for what they were taught that saved their lives.

These guys are the real deal. Two of the crew in my section had already survived a sinking (and the loss of a shipmate), as had several others in the class ... as well as a few of the instructors.

Myself and Capt. Ed learned a lot of stuff and I'll get around to sharing it here after I write it up for the mags and whatnot.

But here's one image to carry along with you. You know the white containers on ships that hold the life rafts? Well, above is what happens when it's time to activate the raft.