Chief of Police and Harbormaster Thomas P. Shamshak Jr. is proud to announce that Officer Joseph Fedullo, the Deputy Harbormaster for the Town of Essex, has successfully completed the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Five Day Boat Operator Search and Rescue (BOSAR) course.
The intensive BOSAR training equips marine law enforcement officers with advanced skills to conduct search and rescue operations in challenging maritime environments. Throughout the course, Officer Fedullo underwent rigorous practical and classroom instruction covering incident command search planning, sweep widths, drift calculations, night operations, electronic navigation, and crew resource management. The cost of the course itself was covered under FEMA funding and was instructed by the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
“Completing the NASBLA BOSAR program is a significant achievement that directly enhances the safety of our waterways, both in the Essex River and Chebacco Lake”, said Chief Shamshak. “Officer Fedullo’s dedication to mastering these national-standard search and rescue tactics ensures our department is even better prepared to respond rapidly and effectively when mariners are in distress.”
The NASBLA BOAT Program is recognized as the national standard for training, qualifying, and credentialing maritime law enforcement and rescue personnel across the United States. By graduating from this program, Officer Fedullo brings standardized, interagency-compatible search and rescue capabilities back to Essex and the surrounding waters of Cape Ann.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to train alongside marine responders from various state and local agencies. The skills I gained during BOSAR will be invaluable in protecting residents and boaters alike should they ever find themselves in a watercraft emergency”, said Officer Fedullo.
Having a member of the Harbormaster Department attend this program is part of a long-term goal for Chief Shamshak to ensure that responders in Essex remain trained and qualified above and beyond the basic minimum requirements. This certification will compliment Officer Fedullo’s existing USCG captains licensing, POST certification, and exceeds basic harbormaster in-service requirements. Members of the harbor department have trained alongside the Essex Fire Department with swift water and ice-rescue classes as well. The Harbormaster Department remains dedicated to providing the highest response service to the citizens and guests of Essex.