Jerry Dzugan, the longtime director of the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, announced he will step away from the helm in January 2023.

“After thirty-six years, Jerry looks forward to teaching more, developing marine safety curricula, and spending more quality time with his sailboat, S/V Wyldewind,” according to a statement from AMSEA.

Dzugan stressed he is not retiring from his career: "I am stepping down from the director's job to focus on AMSEA's training program and training."

A 2021 National Fisherman Highliner, Dzugan is one of the nation’s foremost educators and advocates for marine safety training.

During Dzugan’s tenure as executive director, AMSEA developed Coast Guard-accepted curricula that has been taught to hundreds of marine safety instructors and more than 20,000 fishing vessel drill conductors, in classes on every U.S. coast. Hundreds of fishermen have used the skills learned to keep themselves and their crewmates safe in vessel disasters and other emergencies at sea.

AMSEA will continue “its role as the leading marine safety education organization for commercial fishermen,” according to association officials.

The  AMSEA board of directors has begun its search for a new executive director. In the words of board chair Julie Matweyou, the board is "seeking an individual who is committed to and passionate about the mission, core values and longevity of our organization."

Those interested in applying for the position of executive director can get additional information at https://www.amsea.org/jobs.