Most recently, Deputy Harbormasters Vincent Crossman and Stephen Donnelly attended Operating Under the Influence and Portable Breath Intoxilizer school at the Salem Police Department. This course involved several days of training, where students in the class were trained in how to build probable cause to arrest drunk drivers by using nationally recognized standards when conducting Field Sobriety Checks. Deputies Donnelly and Crossman learned how to recognize and identify drugs that can cause impairment while operating, such as cocaine, heroin, speed or ecstasy. They were also certified in using the portable breath test intoxillizer, which can be used as additional evidence against the boater. The class focused on Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 90b section 8: Operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

            Several members of the Winthrop Harbormaster's Department are scheduled to attend a training program on Shoreline and Boat-Based Rescue. The class will be held at the Beverly Harbormaster's office with most of the training taking place in Beverly Harbor. Designed specifically for inshore rescue teams and Public Safety departments, this two-day program gives rescuers the practical skills they need to work safely and effectively with typical water rescue situations. The first day is spent on the shoreline developing techniques for the rapid lifesaving response and removal of persons in distress from the water. Much of this training takes place in a difficult, but typical, rocky shore. Day 2 is spent onboard rescue vessels with emphasis on boat handling and the rescue of
persons in the water.