Investing in Knowledge and Safety at Sea
Building a resilient fisheries sector involves more than maintaining vessels and supporting fishing operations. It also means investing in the people whose knowledge, skills and decisions help keep those operations safe. Training initiatives such as the Small Vessel Operators Course, contribute to this effort by strengthening maritime knowledge, developing practical competencies and encouraging responsible vessel operation.
As Barbados continues to support and develop its fisheries sector, opportunities for hands-on training and professional development remain essential to preparing vessel operators for the demands of working at sea. Ultimately, safer boating begins with knowledge, is strengthened through practice and depends on every operator’s commitment to applying what they have learned.
Building Skills for Safer Boating in Barbados
Developing skilled vessel operators requires more than an understanding of the sea. It demands practical experience, sound judgement and the ability to make informed decisions while navigating changing conditions. For Barbados’ fishing industry, where small vessels play an essential role in the livelihoods of fisherfolk and the supply of seafood to local communities, these skills are particularly important. Through the Small Vessel Operators Course, the Barbados Fisheries Division supports the development of the knowledge and practical competencies needed to operate small vessels safely and responsibly. The programme combines classroom instruction with hands-on training, allowing participants to build their understanding of vessel operations before applying their knowledge in practical settings. This approach helps bridge the gap between learning the principles of safe boating and developing the confidence to put them into practice.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
After six weeks of learning, practice and preparation, six members of the Barbados Fisheries Division put their boat-handling knowledge to the test. The participants Jalisa King, Olushola King, Khyle Pooler, Julita Fergusson, Lyne Kazan and Tia Chapman all took part in the Small Vessel Operators Course, which combined theoretical instruction with practical experience on the water. The course provided participants with an opportunity to move beyond theoretical instruction and apply what they had learned. Through practical exercises, they developed their understanding of small-craft operation while strengthening the technical abilities and judgement needed to navigate real-world situations.
For the participants, the experience represented more than completing a period of training. It was an opportunity to build confidence at the helm, to refine their techniques and translate classroom lessons into practical skills. By taking control of a vessel and demonstrating their abilities our participants put their knowledge into action, practising the coordination, control and decision-making essential to safe vessel operation. The experience also highlighted the value of practical, skills-based development in strengthening the capabilities of the Fisheries Division’s team.
As the Division continues its work in support of Barbados’ fishing community, ensuring that its personnel possess the knowledge and experience to operate small craft responsibly remains an important priority. Through training opportunities such as the Small Vessel Operators Course, the Division continues to support the professional development of its personnel, equipping them with skills that can be applied in carrying out their duties and supporting the wider fisheries sector. From the first lessons to taking the helm, the experience demonstrated a fundamental principle of professional development: knowledge becomes most valuable when it can be applied with confidence, competence and responsibility. For these six participants, six weeks of preparation culminated in the opportunity to demonstrate how far their skills had progressed, turning lessons learned into practical experience on the water.
Taking the Lessons to Sea: A Look Back at September’s Training
In September 2026, the Fisheries Division’s media team joined participants on the water to document their training journey and capture the practical skills they developed throughout the course. From boat-handling exercises to demonstrations of small-craft operation, the footage offered a closer look at the participants putting their training into action and building the confidence needed to operate responsibly. The experience provided an opportunity to showcase the people behind the Division’s work and highlight the importance of continuous learning, practical experience and safety within the fisheries sector. To see the participants in action and get a closer look at their training experience, visit the Fisheries Division’s Instagram page [@fisheriesdivisionbarbados] for highlights from the course.
Six Participants, One Shared Commitment to Safer Seas
All six participants successfully passed the Small Vessel Operators Course, marking a significant milestone in their training and demonstrating their progress in developing the knowledge and practical skills required for responsible vessel operation. Special recognition goes to Tia Chapman, who was named the course’s Most Improved Student, acknowledging her progress throughout the training programme. Their achievements represent more than the successful completion of six weeks of instruction. They reflect the value of investing in people, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and ensuring that those working within the fisheries sector are equipped to carry out their responsibilities safely and effectively.
As Barbados continues to strengthen its fisheries sector, developing competent and responsible vessel operators remains an important part of building a safer and more resilient maritime community. The knowledge gained through training can support safer operations, strengthen professional confidence and contribute to a culture in which safety remains a shared responsibility.
For the six participants, passing the course marks the beginning of the next stage: putting their skills into practice, continuing to learn through experience and carrying these lessons into their work. Through initiatives such as the Small Vessel Operators Course, the Barbados Fisheries Division reaffirms the importance of building capacity from within, recognising that a stronger fisheries sector depends not only on the vessels at sea, but also on the people who operate them.
Because safer seas begin with skilled hands, sound judgement and a commitment to doing things right.