NEYFA Launches First Greenhorn Apprenticeship Program

The New England Young Fishermen's Alliance (NEYFA) is proud to celebrate the completion of its first-ever Greenhorn Apprenticeship Program!

After speaking with local fishermen and women about what it takes to sustain New England's fishing industry, the need for a reliable workforce came up again and again. As an organization focused on fisheries workforce development, we took that to heart. After several years of research, collaboration with local captains, and studying similar programs like CFCRI's Apprenticeship and two programs in the UK, we launched the Greenhorn Apprenticeship Program this past March, building a pathway for people with no prior boating experience to enter the industry here in New England.

Taught and mentored directly by experienced Captains Jake Eaton, Lucas Raymond, and Jeff Riccio, the curriculum covered navigation, vessel anatomy, knot tying, fish identification, and gear types. Jake and Lucas are graduates of the Deckhand to Captain Training Program offered by NEYFA. With a strong emphasis on safety and wellness, participants also completed CPR and First Aid, Vessel Stability, Safety and Survival, and Drill Conductor training. Guest speakers from across the industry and partner organizations joined us to share expertise on topics such as regulations, the U.S. Coast Guard, fisheries diversification, collaborative research, financial planning, nutrition, and physical strength and wellness. Our goal was to prepare them, on and off the water, for a successful career in the fisheries.

Meet Our First Cohort

Our first cohort of four, representing Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, came from various backgrounds in on-land industries with big goals of working on the water. One apprentice shared that before they found our program, they'd spend their days at work dreaming of being on a fishing boat, but never thought it could be a reality, until now. They have since finished the program, found a job aboard a lobster boat, and are exploring various gear types fishing out of Massachusetts.

We are incredibly proud of this driven, focused, and collaborative group. Upon graduation, and with continued guidance from our training team, three of the four have already begun working aboard local fishing vessels in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The final weeks of the program are spent on the water, where each participant completes five days at sea with a veteran captain. These days are designed to build the confidence needed to become a committed deckhand or sternman. Once they complete this alongside their required certifications and coursework, they earn a $1,500 stipend.

Congratulations to Miranda, Mathew, McGill, and Noah! 🌊

A Commitment to Safety

A core focus of the program was safety. With the support of partners like Fishing Partnership Support Services, the Exeter Fire Department, and the New Hampshire Port Authority, we were able to deliver some of the most comprehensive, fishing-specific safety training in the state, designed to build confidence on a working vessel and ensure every participant is prepared to keep themselves and their crew safe at sea.

Our apprentices completed Vessel Stability Training with Fishing Partnership Support Services at the U.S. Coast Guard facility in Portsmouth, NH. This hands-on program covered stability principles and terminology, the stability curve, operational considerations, interpreting stability reports, and flooding control and prevention. This is essential knowledge for anyone stepping aboard a working vessel.

They also completed Safety and Survival Training and Drill Conductor Certification with Fishing Partnership, gaining critical, hands-on skills for emergency response at sea. The training covered fire response, flooding and damage control, man overboard recovery, emergency communications, and life raft procedures, and served as the foundation for becoming certified Drill Conductors responsible for leading onboard safety drills. Thank you to the Fishing Partnership team for their expertise, dedication, and commitment to keeping our fishing communities safe.

CPR and AED training was completed at the Exeter Fire Department, building lifesaving skills that are especially critical on working vessels, where immediate medical assistance is often not available. First Aid training was led in the classroom by Del Record of the Portsmouth Port Authority, providing practical, fishing-focused instruction to prepare participants for real emergencies at sea. A special thank you to Kevin St. James from the Exeter Fire Department, Del Record, and Bob O'Connell for their time, expertise, and support of our program.

Looking Ahead

This first cohort proved something important: with the right training, mentorship, and support, people with no prior experience on the water can become confident, capable, and safety-certified members of New England's commercial fishing fleet. That matters for the future of our fisheries and the continued development of this program. With our apprentice's feedback, we're working hard to ensure that each year's program keeps improving. We are grateful to every partner, captain, and instructor who helped make this program possible, and we look forward to continuing to build on this foundation.

Want to learn more about the Greenhorn Apprenticeship Program?

Visit: https://www.neyoungfishermen.org/about-4

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