Watercraft Safety Training Program

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 

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MOCC/MOICC Courses Offered

• SAF4102 - MOCC - Motorboat Operator Certification Course
• FWS-SAF4B02 Motorboat Operator Certification Course – Blended
• SAF4101 - MOICC - Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification
• SAF4R02 - MOCC - Motorboat Operator Refresher

Additional MOCC Modules

• SAF4A02 - MOCC - Airboat Operator Module
• FWS-SAF4A02R MOCC - Airboat Operator Refresher Certification
• SAF4OW2 - MOCC - Open Water Module
• SAF4RM2 - MOCC - River Module (Moving Water Module)
• SAF4NM2 - MOCC - Non-Motorized Module

Additional Safety Courses

• FWS-SAF-GOTS Scientific Boat Operations: Gear Over the Side  
• FWS-CSP2202A Electrofishing Safety
• FWS-CSP2201 Principles and Techniques of Electrofishing
• FWS-CSP2C01 Principles and Techniques of Electrofishing (Online)

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
   

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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

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Training Resources

Instructor Information

• DOI Watercraft-Safety Course Minimum Standards and Instructor Levels  (April  2023)

DOI Watercraft (Boating) Training Courses; Policy Reference: DOI Departmental Manual, DM 485; Safety and Occupational Health Program

• Chapter 22: Watercraft Safety

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FWS Part 241 Safety Operations Chapter 1 Watercraft Safety

• 241fw1
• 241fw1 Exhibit 1

BLM Watercraft Safety Policy

• Chapter 16

NPS Watercraft Safety Policy

• Section 9

USBR Watercraft Safety Policy

• Section 28 Watercraft and Dredging

USGS Watercraft Safety Polilcy

• Chapter 31

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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.

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Operator Resources

The documents below are currently in the process of being created for 508 compliances.

Boating Safety Float Form and Plans

• FWS Float Plan
• Sample Plan 1
• Sample Plan 2
• Sample Plan 3 

Maintenance Checklists

• Boat Inspection Form
• Boat Inspection for Trailer

Worksheet

• General Assessment of Risk (GAR) Model Worksheet