In the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Atlantic, Robbie Roberge’s quick thinking and training saved his crew from a fiery end. Last August, as flames licked up the walls of his fishing vessel, Three Girls, Roberge sprang into action. He’d learned the ropes just three months prior at a workshop hosted by Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS), a nonprofit dedicated to equipping East Coast fishermen with lifesaving skills. Roberge’s story is a testament to the power of preparedness, but it’s also a stark reminder of what’s at stake as federal funding for such trainings hangs in the balance.
The Trump administration’s push to streamline government has put the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the crosshairs. NIOSH, a key funder of workplace safety training and research, has seen hundreds of employees terminated, with more cuts expected. The fallout could be catastrophic for industries like fishing, farming, and logging, where workers face some of the highest fatal injury rates in the U.S. These sectors, often operating in remote areas, rely heavily on specialized safety training to keep their workers alive.
The potential loss of NIOSH funding could spell disaster for organizations like FPSS, which expects to lose its grant in September. Dan Orchard, FPSS’s executive vice president, warns that the cuts could force them to scale back trainings, leaving fishermen and other high-risk workers in the lurch. John Roberts, an FPSS instructor with 31 years of Coast Guard experience, puts it bluntly: “The return on investment of the government is huge. If they give us this money to do this training, it’s going to lessen how much money has to be spent to rescue the untrained.”
The impact of these cuts is already being felt. J. Glenn Morris, director of the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, has begun winding down operations in anticipation of losing his NIOSH grant. “We’re shutting down the direct education to the workers, we’re shutting down the research,” he said. This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about lives on the line.
The fishing industry, in particular, is a powder keg of risks. Fishermen face falling overboard, equipment malfunctions, and the ever-present danger of fire at sea. Safety trainings, like the ones FPSS offers, teach fishermen how to handle these emergencies, potentially saving lives and reducing the burden on marine rescue services. But with NIOSH funding on the chopping block, these trainings could become a thing of the past.
The potential loss of these trainings isn’t just about physical safety; it’s also about mental health and overall well-being. The NIOSH-funded centers tackle issues like drug addiction, mental health challenges, and diet-related diseases. In the fishing sector, opiate addiction is a significant concern, with fishermen being taught to administer the overdose reversal drug Narcan. These are complex issues that require specialized training and support.
The Trump administration’s push to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency is understandable, but at what cost? The potential loss of these trainings could leave thousands of workers high and dry, quite literally in the case of fishermen. It’s a gamble that could cost lives, and it’s one that the maritime industry can’t afford to take.
The maritime industry is a tough, unforgiving world, but it’s also a world where every life saved is a victory. Robbie Roberge’s story is a shining example of how training can make the difference between life and death. But as federal funding for these lifesaving programs hangs in the balance, the question remains: will we continue to invest in the safety of our workers, or will we leave them to the mercy of the sea? The future of the maritime industry hangs in the balance, and it’s a future that could be shaped by the decisions made in the halls of power. The maritime industry is watching, and it’s waiting to see if the government will stand with them, or leave them to the wolves.