The National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) manages the DOI/ FWS Watercraft Safety Training Program by providing direct support to their online and field-based training courses. Currently, NCTC staff maintain and update the course content for all Watercraft Safety courses for the Department of Interior, in coordination with the DOI Watercraft Safety Work Group and the FWS Watercraft Safety Work Group.
courses offered DOI Watercraft Safety Workgroup OPERATOR Resources
Regional Schedules Training Resources training videos USFWS rEGIONAL CoORDINATORS
Regional Watercraft Safety Course Dates/Locations
Region 1/Region 8 - (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii; CNO- California, Nevada)
Region 2 - (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma)
Region 3 - (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin)
Region 4 - (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Region 5 - (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)
Region 6 - (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)
Region 7 - (Alaska)
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Contacts
DOI Watercraft Safety Workgroup
(Please contact your respective agency lead for questions regarding the agency watercraft program)
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Colby Hawkinson, (541) 727-8437, BLM - Medford, OR
- Monica Zimmerman, (208) 709-2371, BLM - Upper Snake Field Office, Idaho Falls, ID
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
- Robert Radtke, (801) 660-0876, BOR - UC Regional Office, Salt Lake City, UT
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Chad Yoshinaga, 808 725-5391 (office) 808 222-1072 (cell), NOAA - Honolulu HI
National Park Service (NPS)
- Rene Buehl, 415-623-2181 (office) or email: rene_buehl@nps.gov, NPS - San Francisco, CA
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- Gary Schetrompf, (304) 876-7255; gary_schetrompf@fws.gov
U. S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Timothy Frick, USGS, (860)291-6757, New England WSC Office, East Hartford, CT
USFWS Regional Watercraft Safety Coordinators
- USFWS National Watercraft Safety Lead - Gary Schetrompf, (304) 876-7255; gary_schetrompf@fws.gov
- Region 1 and 8: Aaron Garcia, (208) 827-6360; aaron_garcia@fws.gov
- Region 2: Paul Balkenbush, 903-786-2826 x225; paul_balkenbush@fws.gov
- Region 3: Dave Wedan (608) 783-8435; dave_wedan@fws.gov
- Region 4: David McCaghren,, (256) 642-5417; david_mccaghren@fws.gov
- Region 5: Mike Mangold, (410) 573-4509; mike_mangold@fws.gov
- Region 6: Aaron Johnson, (406) 526-3464, ext. 201; aaron_johnson@fws.gov
- Region 7: Kenneth Gates, (907) 262-9863; kenneth_gates@fws.gov
- NCTC: Gary Schetrompf, (304) 876-7255; gary_schetrompf@fws.gov
Training Resources
Instructor Information
- DOI Watercraft-Safety Course Minimum Standards and Instructor Levels (January 2020-ABM Refresher Approved April 13, 2020)
DOI Watercraft (Boating) Training Courses; Policy Reference: DOI Departmental Manual, DM 485; Safety and Occupational Health Program
FWS Part 241 Safety Operations Chapter 1 Watercraft Safety
BLM Watercraft Safety Policy
NPS Watercraft Safety Policy
USBR Watercraft Safety Policy
USGS Watercraft Safety Polilcy
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Training Resource Videos
When planning stowage, it is necessary to carefully consider cargo handling and lashing methods in line with the shape of the cargo.
Learn a secure method to control the descent of a heavy load and to determine the best way to get the boat onto the trailer.
The airboat is a specialized piece of equipment designed to go where other vessels cannot go.
Learn how to do all of the above by watching these videos MOCC training resource videos.