December 11, 2025 | 13:45 CST

ABS Delivers Simulation-Based Training Module to Promote Safety for Commercial Fishing Industry

ABS
Technology
newsroom detail

(HOUSTON) ABS completed a four-year effort to develop a training module to enhance safety training for commercial fishermen.

The project delivered a web-based training platform with materials focused on six major categories of safety risks related to fishing vessel dynamic stability. Computational fluid dynamics and modern rendering techniques were adopted to make the simulations as realistic as possible.

“This work shows the unwavering efforts of ABS to promote the security of life at sea. In some environmental conditions, commercial fishing can become an occupation with many risks. With modern simulation technologies, ABS is able to advance training for better situational awareness of safety risks to support those working in the fishing industry,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

The project was financially sponsored by the Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The training platform has been incorporated into the long-term course offerings of Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA).

The project team consisted of ABS, AMSEA, George Mason University, and the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC), with support from Hockema Group, Inc.

“We are excited to see this stability training tool come on-line! The interactive features permit the user to experiment with multiple stability-oriented scenarios; and in doing so, permit knowledge-based decision making on probable outcomes, which may enhance valuable stability decisions while at sea,” said Joseph D. Myers, U.S. Coast Guard Fishing Vessel Safety Program Manager.

ABS is a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services for the marine and offshore industries. Learn more here.

Photo Caption 1 (L to R): Jerry Dzugan, Former Executive Director of the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA), and Zhongfu Ge, ABS Manager, Technology, at the training tool hand-over ceremony at the AMSEA headquarters in Sitka, Alaska.

Photo Caption 2: Screenshot of the training tool

IMAGE ABS TrainingToolScreenshot