USF&WS will host a Motorboat Operator Course (MOCC) Instructor Development
Workshop in Bodega Bay, CA June 22 -24.

The goal of the workshop is to develop and refine MOCC/MOTC training
materials, methods and skills.
This is a great opportunity for SBSA MOTC instructors to polish their
skills and have a voice in updating the DOI & SBSA courses.

SBSA members who have cooperative agreements with DOI agencies are welcome
to send program instructors to participate with no workshop tuition charged.

Lodging will be available at Bodega Marine Laboratory
http://www.bml.ucdavis.edu/housing/index.html, (this may include meals). Or
in the town of Bodega Bay; either http://www.bodegacoastinn.com/ or Lodging
in Bodega Bay .

DEADLINE to reserve a space at the workshop is Monday, June 7.
SBSA members should contact James Fitzgerald at 707 875 1933, or
jjfitzgerald@ucdavis.edu for more information and workshop schedule.

Course Objectives

Through demonstration and actual use, provide the participant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities, to safely perform as operator or crew while on board a motorboat.

Classroom Topics

• Agency, state and institution policies
• Vessel orientation, terminology
• Required & recommended equipment
• VHF radio communications
• Rules of the road
• Aids to Navigation (ATONS)
• Marlinspike seamanship
• Safety and emergency procedures
• NASBLA topics
• Security
• Invasive species control
• Pollution control
• Recreational boating & other activities
• Carbon monoxide

Field Topics

• Vessel inspection & safety equipment
• Float plan and check lists
• Boat & engine maintenance
• Prop change
• Jet drive overview (where applicable)
• Trailer inspection, connection & maintenance
• Anchoring and beaching
• Rendering assistance and towing
• Fire suppression
• Visual distress signals

Underway, Slow Speed Maneuvers

• Launch & recovery
• Vessel handling characteristics
• Crew responsibilities
• Docking, port & starboard sides to using various approaches
• Turning around in a confined area (ìstarî or ìcircleî)
• Touch & go – Station keeping
• Object recovery – Personnel recovery
• Line &/or pfd toss
• Anchoring & beaching
• Towing – if time allows
• VHF radio use

Underway, At Speed Maneuvers

• Vessel handling characteristics
• Serpentine
• Object avoidance
• Man Overboard (MOB) drills

The SBSA is now a member of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). The NSBC is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education. The National Safe Boating Council accomplishes this mission by:

• Conducting a series of on-going National Campaigns to promote Safe Boating.
• Providing opportunities to work directly with national and international leaders in boating education.
• Improving the professional development of boating safety educators.
• Distributing safe boating information.
• Developing and recognizing outstanding boating safety programs.
• Supporting research initiatives that strengthen boating education and safety awareness.

For more information, click here.

Is there a certificate for the course, how long is it valid for?

Upon successful completion of the course and written exam, you will be presented a “certificate of completion” from the SBSA. The certificate of completion is recognized by SBSA member institutions as well as USF&WS, USGS, and NOAA PIFSC as proof of training, and is valid for five years. Your host institution may have further training for you to complete before you may operate institutional watercraft.

How much does the MOTC cost?

Fees vary from free for a few institutions to about $200 for the entire course. This fee includes the course manual and other consumables, but not transportation, lodging and meals.

What is the typical course schedule?

Typically, the course starts at 8 AM and ends at 5 PM for each of the three days, with an hour for lunch in the middle. The first day typically covers all the lectures and pool demonstration and day 2-3 is mostly hands demonstrations and boat handling. For more information, see an example course schedule (PDF link).

I have other commitments and may miss some of the course, will I still be able to complete the course?

The course is rigorously designed around a 24 hour minimum standard, you should wait and take the course when you can commit to the full schedule.

What clothing will I need to bring to the training?

This depends on location, but be prepared for a mix of conditions that range from dry to wet. Typically, the boats used for training are unprotected small craft and you can expect to be wet some of the time. Non-cotton, breathable, water-shedding fabric is preferred. And bring plenty of sunscreen.

I don’t have a personal flotation device, will you provide one?

Notify your course instructor that you will need a PFD prior to the start of the course. All participants must have a fitted PFD to operate the watercraft.

I’ve never operated a power boat before, will this be a problem?

No, the course is specifically designed to teach the fundamental skills of boating safety to the novice operator.

I have never trailered a boat, will this be a problem?

No, the MOTC covers the basic skills you will need to safely trailer, launch and retrieve a boat. We do recommend that you practice this skill after the course, as it is very useful.

I’m a licensed mariner with many years experience operating boats, what will I lean from this course?

Both students and instructors will benefit from your experience. While the MOTC is an introductory course, many maritime professionals have been surprised by the breadth of information that is presented in three days.

I don’t swim, will this be a problem?

The in water exercises consist of mostly treading water for short durations and are conducted in a pool or confined water where PFD’s are used. Notify you instructor that you prefer to have a PFD for the in-water exercises.

I need to learn how to operate specific hardware on our institutions boat, will you teach this?

The MOTC does not cover operation of specific hardware but does a good job covering the basics of safe boat handling and navigation. Ask your instructor or your peers about the hardware you are learning and they may be able to assist outside the course curricula.

Can we choose which type of boat we learn to operate?

A typical MOTC will consist of 2-3 watercraft of various sizes, hull designs and propulsion. The course is designed to provide students hands-on time with each watercraft in an effort to expose them to variances in how the craft responds to their operation.