Capt. Jonathan E. Kjaerulff, President, Fremont Maritime Services, Inc.

Capt. Kjaerulff holds a U.S. Coast Guard-issued license as Master of inspected vessels to1600 tons, and Chief Mate of inspected vessels of any tons. He is a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., and has sailed as captain and licensed ship's officer on a variety of civilian and naval vessels operating in numerous trades all over the world. His last two years of active sailing were spent as captain of the 155' salmon and herring processor Aleutian Dragon, operating in waters throughout Alaska.

In 1989 Jon founded Fremont Maritime Services to provide safety and survival training to mariners sailing in Alaska and along the Pacific Coast. His first fishing vessel safety program, the Survival Afloat Seminar was specifically designed to provide training to crews of fishing vessels under 100 feet. This program delivers packaged training programs directly to the vessel and crew, and utilizes actual equipment and training aids to make the training more realistic and memorable. In September of 1992, the Survival Afloat Seminar became the first program approved by the Coast Guard as meeting the fishing vessel drill conductor training requirements of 46 CFR §28.270 (a) and (c).

Jon is the author of all course handbooks used in FMS training programs, as well as five industrial safety workbooks and videos recently produced for the American Factory Trawler Association Industrial Safety Program. He has helped produce and was the narrator/consultant on a fishing vessel man overboard recovery video produced in 1992 for Port Supply Co. of Watsonville, CA.

Jon was a member of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium's Curriculum Advisory Committee, which helped design a national standard Personal Safety and Emergency Drills course for the U.S. Coast Guard. Jon is also a consultant to other organizations involved with emergency drill and safety training, including the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, Seattle Central Community College Maritime Training Center, Washington Sea Grant, Oregon Sea Grant, and Clatsop Community College. He has published articles on safety training in Marine Digest and Workboat Magazines, and presented a paper on marine fire training at the 1995 SASMEX conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Jon and his wife Maria share their home in Gig Harbor, Washington with three dogs, four cats, two horses, a goat, a box turtle, and two tanks of fish.

Randall Hyde, Senior Fire Fighting Instructor

Randy is a Federal fire fighter who currently holds the rank of Captain in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Fire Department. A skilled fire officer, Randy provides fire protection, inspection, emergency medical aid, and hazardous materials response to all shipyard resources. These include buildings, shops, warehouses, piers, fuel and hazardous material storage facilities, as well as nuclear, steam, and diesel-powered ships in various stages of repair. Randy is also serves as a substitute assistant fire chief, assuming those duties in his absence and operating at the strategic level as incident commander.

As a trainer in his department, Randy instructs fire fighters in all aspects of shipboard fire fighting, in classroom environments and practical training. He oversees training exercises and actual fire scenes ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment and property. He monitors the safe practices of his subordinates and safety of the work area, ensuring personnel are thoroughly trained in the use of protective clothing and equipment.

Randy's professional experience also includes six years in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a fire fighter and crew chief at Air Force bases in the U.S. and Korea. His extensive professional training includes Instructor Training at the Washington State Fire Training Academy and Marine Fire Fighting and Emergency Training at Texas A&M University.

Thomas Bliss, Assistant Director, FMS/India Tango

Thomas joined forces with Fremont Maritime to develop and implement our Vessel Security Programs. Coming from a large family of mariners, Thomas has been working and living in and around the maritime industry since his early teens. Prior to coming to Fremont, he served as a cold water survival instructor to Research Vessels on the shores of the Beaufort Sea 247 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Thomas is a lead instructor in many STCW courses such as, Basic Safety Training (BST) for Survival, Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities, FOSS Maritime Responsible Carrier Program, Crowley Safety Programs, and Dunlap Towing Company.

Presently a FSO-CS, MT (Flotilla Staff Officer Communications & Member Training) & SO-CS (Division Staff Officer Communications) in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Thomas has completed the Boat Crew Academy (BCA), including many of the elements of the “Basic Seamanship Manual” for U.S.C.G. Active Duty. Since receiving his boat crew qualifications he has logged thousands of hours with the U.S.C.G./AUX & U.S.C.G. Active Duty in Joint force multiplier missions, including security venue patrols of the major Port Facilities in Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, and Port Angeles.

Thomas is also a proud to serve with the U.S.C.G./AUX in the areas of recreational boater safety, vessel examinations, and visitors programs designed to educate and inform the recreational boater. Thomas is a certified VSE (Vessel Safety Examiner) Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSPV), and is training for COXSWAIN in 2009.

Thomas is also an award-winning professional photographer, and his work has appeared in the motion picture, television, and advertising industry. Much of his photography can be seen on his website thomasbliss.com.

Jennifer Hassa, Operations Manager

Jennifer comes from a long line of Norwegian fishermen who today sail the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Employed by Fremont Maritime since 1998, Jennifer has recently been promoted her current position. As Operations Manager, she ensures we are ready for all aspects of day to day company activity.

Ray Church, Facilities Manager

A gifted welder and fabricator, Ray helped build the current Fire Dragon mockup in 2001, and has stayed with Fremont Maritime ever since. Ray is responsible for keeping the ship as seaworthy as possible (considering she catches fire on a regular basis), and keeping all systems on line.

Phil Baumgrass, Senior Instructor

Phil is a Captain in the Federal Fire Service who is currently assigned to the Navy's Jackson Park Hospital and Housing complex in Bremerton. In this capacity he provides fire protection, inspection, emergency medical aid, and hazardous materials response to all shipyard resources and vessels under layup and repair.

Lisa Marie Whitley, Senior Instructor, Sea Safety and Survival

The newest addition to the Fremont Maritime staff, Lisa Whitley holds a Mates license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a former Air Force Security Police Airman, and the daughter of a tugboat Captain. She began her own maritime career in 1987, starting out in the Steward’s Department aboard large passenger vessels. In 1991 she joined NOAA, serving as an Ordinary and later Able-Bodied Seaman. In 1996 she transferred to the Washington State Ferries, working her way up to the positions of Boatswain and Quartermaster. During her time off from sailing, she pursued community college courses towards an Associate’s Degree in Law enforcement. Along the way, Lisa also obtained certifications as a Rescue Swimmer and Fast Rescue Boat operator.

After serving with the ferry system for ten years, Lisa relocated to Arizona where she used her military experience and education to serve the public as a commissioned law enforcement officer.

In 2008, Lisa returned to the Northwest, sailing once again as A.B for NOAA aboard the Okeanos Explorer. Pursuing further professional qualifications, she obtained American Red Cross certification and part-time employment with the City of Seattle as water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor

David Tait, Senior First Aid Instructor
Currently employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the Bellevue, Washington Fire Department, Dave specializes in First Aid/CPR and AED training.

Aaron Adkins, Firefighting and First Aid Instructor
Aaron is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from November of 1994 to November of 1998.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in March of 1995, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson.

In April of 2002, after attending Fire Science classes at Olympic College in Bremerton, Aaron was hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest.  In the time since he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Fire Instructor I.

Corey Caulk, Firefighting and Damage Control Instructor

Cory is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from August of 1995 to December of 1999.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in March of 1996, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Stetham (DDG-63).

In April of 1991, Cory was hired by the City of Kirkland, Washington as a Firefighter/EMT.  In March of 2004 he was certified as a Fire Instructor I.

Capt. Tony Ford, Safety and Survival Instructor

Captain Ford is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and holds a U.S. Coast Guard-issued license as master of steam and motor vessels of any gross tons upon oceans.   Additionally, he holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Puget Sound.  He has also successfully completed the MITAGS Train the Trainer course based upon IMO Model course 6.09 Training Course for  Instructors.

In the course of a twenty-four year career in the Coast Guard, Capt. Ford served as Commanding Officer of a number of vessels.  After retirement, he took the position of Safety Manager for Arctic Alaska Fisheries Corporation, in the wake of the Aleutian Enterprise tragedy.  As safety manger, he was responsible for the safety, health, and training of approximately 1200 employees in over 35 locations.

During his tenure at Arctic Alaska, Capt. Ford authored a corporate safety manual including policies and plans for HAZCOM, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, hearing protection, bloodborne pathogens, emergency evacuation, and fire safety.

Kyle Higgins, Firefighting and Damage Control Instructor

Kyle is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, having served from September, 1997 to September, 2001.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in May of 1999, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active.  He remains active in the Coast Guard Reserve.

In December of 2001 Kyle was hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest.  In July of 2005, he transferred to the City of Kirkland, Washington Fire Department, where serves as a Firefighter/EMT. During his career he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor I and Fire Instructor I.

Bill Hoover, Firefighting Instructor trainee

Bill is a Captain in the Kirkand Fire Department.

Michael Kazicewicz, Firefighting and First Aid Instructor trainee

"Kaz" is Captain in the Federal Fire Service, and is assigned to Naval Station Everett.

Lonny McKinney, Firefighting Instructor trainee

Formerly with the Federal Fire Service, Lonny has recently transferred to the Bremerton Fire Department.

Jim Whitsett, Firefighting Instructor trainee

Formerly with the Federal Fire Service, Jim is now a Captain with the Poulsbo Fire Department.

Shawn Williams, Firefighting Instructor

Shawn is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from June of 1998 to June of 2002.  After completing Boot Camp, Shawn spent the balance of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Ogden, where he achieved the rate of Damage Controlman 2nd Class.

Following his separation from the Navy, Shawn attended and graduated from the firefighter training program at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington. In 2004, he was hired by hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest. In the time since he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Fire Instructor I.

Matt Wright, Firefighting Instructor

Matt serves as a Firefighter/EMT in the Federal Fire Service. He is stationed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Ginger Veighey, Registrar

Ginger has joined Fremont Maritime as of the start of 2009. Hers is most likely the friendly voice you hear when you call Fremont Maritime, and she will help you sign up for the course you need.

Having recently completed all elements of the Basic Safety Training program, she is well-qualified to answer your questions about the course content and activities.