Ocean Springs News
MEDIA PRESS RELEASE - for immediate release
May 7th, 2010 | For details and information concerning this release, please contact Johnnie Bernhard at (228) 875-2209.
BP to Hold “Vessels of Opportunity” Training in Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs, MS – In partnership with the City of Ocean Springs, BP will hold a training session on Saturday, May 8, 8:00 a.m. to noon, at the Ocean Springs Civic Center, 3730 Bienville Blvd., Highway 90 in Ocean Springs.
BP’s “Vessels of Opportunity” program is open to deckhands, vessel captains and vessel owners of commercial fishing vessels or charter fishing boats. At the session, BP will provide an induction and orientation to the program, and review the “charter agreement” required of vessel owners to participate in the program.
“In addition to the training, operators need to meet some key requirements including passing a dockside examination by the U.S. Coast Guard and meeting crewing requirements based on the size of the vessel provided to qualify for the program,” said BP spokesman Andrew Van Chau.
After the training segment, a session to review the charter agreement with vessel owners will be held. Attendees may sign the agreement at that time, or take it with them to review and return later to BP. Eligible vessels will be compensated for their assistance.
“We are pleased that BP will be holding this session in Ocean Springs,” said Mayor Connie Moran. “It is vital that our charter boats and commercial fishermen affected by this event have an opportunity to replace their lost income, while simultaneously helping to mitigate the spill or respond to protect our coastline and livelihoods.”
“We also look forward to hosting other training opportunities for volunteers as BP finalizes those arrangements,” said Moran.
To review the proposed agreement for vessel owners online, click here. To contact the Civic Center directly, call 228-875-7696.
