Community Updates Potential Solutions for Marine Trades Issues
CIRCA 1870
G OODBREA D HOUSE
BED & BREAKFAST INN Four andard gue r ms & two suites, all wi large private ba r ms. ay wi us and visit Cumberland Island and hi oric . Marys! Pet friendly. Dietary needs met.
Call for special Southern Tides Rates!
(912) 882-7490
www.g dbreadhouse.com info@g dbreadhouse.com 209 Osborne . . Marys, Georgia
Have you contacted a boat service company to get work done on your boat, only to be told they’re weeks or even months from being able to get to you? Part of the reason for this is a shortage of tradesmen or skilled labor. Many marine businesses in coastal Georgia have open positions to fill, but there aren’t enough qualified applicants available. Additionally, as older generations retire, there don’t seem to be enough younger generations choosing to follow similar career paths, which will eventually create a critical workforce issue. With 24,665 boats currently registered in the six coastal counties, 9,863 in Chatham County alone, there’s no shortage of work needed to maintain them. To that end, the Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) met recently with key personnel from Savannah Tech and the Chatham County Public School Systems to begin discussions on how to alleviate this issue in Chatham County and beyond. The objectives of these discussions included: introducing students to potential careers in the marine industry, developing marine trades training programs at both high school and college levels, creating apprenticeship and intern programs, and even setting up scholarships. More information will follow as talks progress and plans are put into action. To learn more contact GAMBA through their website at www.georgiamarinebusiness.org.
If You Care,, Leave Them There
Safe Harbor
Rigging Services, LLC Proudly Serving Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida A young fawn resting during the day. Photo by Calvin Wakefield
231-578-5087 info@safeharborriggingservices.com www.safeharborriggingservices.com
John S. Ramsey, Owner Authorized
Dealer
In the spring, it is not unusual to see young wildlife that appear to be alone. Before you attempt to help – remember that it is best to leave wildlife where you find them, according to the GADNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). "When you take wildlife out of their environment and bring them into your home, it often takes away that animal’s ability to then survive in the wild, where they belong,” explains Kaitlin Goode, program manager of the Georgia WRD Urban Wildlife Program. “In most instances, there is an adult animal a short distance away – even though you may not be able to see it. Adult animals, such as deer, spend most of the day away from their young to reduce the risk of a predator
finding the young animal.” The best thing people can do when they see a young animal is to leave it exactly as they found it for at least 24 hours. If the animal is still there after this time period, reach out to the local WRD office for guidance (georgiawildlife.com/about/contact). Young wildlife demand a great deal of care and have specific nutritional requirements. If they are not cared for properly, they will not be releasable or retain the ability to survive on their own. Persons not licensed and trained in wildlife rehabilitation should not attempt to care for wildlife. In fact, Georgia law prohibits the possession of most wildlife without a permit. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com and click on “Living With Wildlife” or contact the local Wildlife Resources Division office (georgiawildlife.com/ about/contact). 28
Southern Tides Magazine
May 2021
