Community News Briefs

BoatShop offering fishing crew school; Library seeking teen writing and art contest entries

Gig Harbor BoatShop, in collaboration with Washington Sea Grant, will launch purse seine crew member training in April.

“Crew School” is designed to provide fundamental commercial fishing crew member training in the classroom, aboard commercial fishing vessels and in the historic Ancich netshed on Gig Harbor’s waterfront. Two Washington Sea Grant Coast Guard-approved safety courses will be included: Sea Safety and Survival, and First Aid At Sea. Experienced commercial fishing captains and crew will lead the hands-on program.

The six-day program — four days led by longtime purse seine captain Gregg Lovrovich and two days led by Sea Grant course instructors — will begin Monday, April 11. The goal is to introduce basic skills required aboard fishing vessels, primarily purse seiners, and to provide participants a window into the onboard life of a commercial fishing crew member. It is also intended to help commercial fishing skippers find qualified crew members.

Participants will be introduced to the basics of net mending, navigation, line handling and on-deck skills — on land and aboard fishing vessels — including the setting and hauling of a purse seine net from a Gig Harbor-based seiner. The two Sea Grant safety courses will follow the initial four days of training. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate and assistance in their search for crew positions.

An Alaska salmon purse seiner is limited to 58 feet long and typically has a crew of four to six, including a skipper. Photo courtesy of Guy Hoppen

An Alaska salmon purse seiner is limited to 58 feet long and typically has a crew of four to six, including a skipper. The fishing season runs from mid-June to early September. Any given vessel’s participation varies in length within that window. Crew members live aboard for the entire season, and often visit towns like Petersburg, Sitka or Kodiak to unload fish and get provisions. Crew members are compensated on a share basis — a percentage of total catch.

The cost is $100. For more program information or to register, visit the Gig Harbor BoatShop website www.gigharborboatshop.org or call (253) 857-9344.

Our Own Expressions contest awarding prizes in four categories

The Pierce County Library System is encouraging county teenagers to show their creativity in its Our Own Expressions Teen Writing & Art Contest, now through Feb. 28.

Teen writers and artists in seventh through 12th grades can participate in the free contest as an individual or as a team in one or all four categories: poetry, short story, photography and drawing.

Students may get entry forms online or at their local Pierce County Library. They can submit entries online, drop off at their local library or send by mail to the Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446-2215.

Judges will review writing entries based on originality, style, general presentation, grammar, spelling and evidence of skill appropriate for the writer’s age. They will review art entries based on composition, evidence of skill commensurate with age, creativity and effective use of media. Published authors, professional artists and photographers select the final winning pieces.

The library system will announce all of the winning entries in a special publication and distribute copies throughout Pierce County libraries and to the winning students’ schools. The Pierce County Library Foundation will award cash prizes of $50 to $100 to winners in three age groups: seventh and eighth grade, ninth and 10th grade, and 11th and 12th grade in all four categories.

The library system plans to showcase contest winners at an awards ceremony in May.

Visit expressions.pcls.us for more information.