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Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC)

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DOI Watercraft (Boating) Training Courses
Policy Reference: DOI Departmental Manual, DM 485
Safety and Occupational Health Program
Chapter 22: Watercraft Safety

A National Association of State Boating Law Adminstrators (NASBLA) approved course
Letter of Approval


1. Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC)  SAF4102

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)

motorboat image Course Description. This course gives participants the training required to permit operation of Service-owned watercraft. It reviews minimum requirements for safe operation of motorboats and includes a review of legal requirements, preparations, navigation, operations, emergency procedures, rescue, self rescue, trailering, fire suppression and basic seamanship. The course includes both classroom and on-the-water instruction. There is an on-the-water practical exam during which the student must demonstrate certain skills to pass as well as a written exam with a passing grade of 70 required.

Course Objectives. The objectives of the MOCC are to:

  • Provide attendees with specific skills and knowledge that will allow them to make an informed decision about their own safety, the safety of any crew member, as well as the safety of the vessel,
  • Familiarize attendees with state-of-the-art watercraft safety equipment and other gear, through demonstration and actual use, and
  • Allow attendees to demonstrate, through written examination and physical demonstration, that they have adequate grasp of motorboat handling techniques and knowledge to safely operate a motorboat in a normal work environment.

Dates / Locations / Contacts for MOCC Training

Region 1 & Region 8

   Contact:

Region 1 & Region 8 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Course Contact
MOICC - San Diego, CA July 28 - August 1, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - San Diego, CA July 30 - August 1, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
River Module - Lewiston, ID July 22-23, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
River Module - Arcata, CA Aug 20-21, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Richland, WA Sept 23-25, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Bodega Bay, CA Oct 20-22, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Bodega Bay, CA Oct 23-24, 2008 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov

Region 2

   Contact:

Region 2 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor
MOCC - Havasu NWR, Arizona April 1-3, 2008 Please Contact Stewart Jacks via email:; Stewart_Jacks@fws.gov
MOCC - Aransas NWR - Texas May 13-15, 2008 Please Contact Charlie Holbrook via email:; Charles_Holbrook@fws.gov
MOCC - Sequoyah NWR - Oklahoma June 3-5, 2008 Please Contact Jeff Haas via email:; Jeff_Haas@fws.gov
Airboat Module - Aransas NWR, Texas May 16, 2008 Please Contact Charlie Holbrook via email:; Charles_Holbrook@fws.gov
Airboat Module - Sequoyah NWR, Oklahoma June 6, 2008 Please Contact Jeff Haas via email:; Jeff_Haas@fws.gov

Region 3

   Contact: For complete class announcements, follow this link: Class schedule information

Region 3 MOCC for FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor
MOCC - Ludington, MI April 22-24, 2008 Contacts - Kyle Krysiak or Dave Keffer
MOCC - Mark Twain Lake, Hannibal, MO May 20-22, 2008 Contacts - Bob Clevenstine or Jeff Finley
MOCC - Tamarac NWR, MN June 3-5, 2008 Contacts - Brian Pember or Jeff Lucas
Airboat Module - Tamarac NWR June 5-6, 2008 Contacts - Bill Thrune
MOCC - Onalaska, WI June 17-19, 2008 Contacts - Brian Pember
MOCC/Open Water Module - Alpena, MI June 24-26, 2008 Contacts - Adam Kowalski
Airboat Module - Horicon NWR, WI August 13, 2008 Contacts - Bill Thrune
Baird Module - Chboygan, MI Aug/Sep 2008 Contacts - Adam Kowalski
MOCC - Ashland, WI September 16-18, 2008 Contacts - Jeff Lockington
MOCC Refresher - Ludington, MI April 23, 2008 Contacts - Dave Wedan
MOCC Refresher - Hannibal, MO May 21, 2008 Contacts - Dave Wedan
MOCC Refresher - Tamarac NWR June 4, 2008 Contacts - Dave Wedan
MOCC Refresher - Onalaska, WI June 18, 2008 Contacts - Dave Wedan
MOCC Refresher - DeSoto NWR TBA 2008 Contacts - Dave Wedan

Region 4

Contact:

Region 4 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor
MOCC - Savanah, GA Jan 15-18, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
MOCC - Merritt Island NWR Feb 5-8, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
MOCC - SE Louisiana NWR Mar 4-7, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
MOCC - Mobile, AL Apr 15-18, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
MOCC - Santee or Alligator NWR May 13-16, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
MOCC - Loxahatchee NWR Jun 10-13, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
Airboat - Merritt Island Feb 4, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
Airboat - SE Louisiana Mar 3, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
Airboat - Chassahowitzka NWR Apr 23, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov
Airboat - Loxahatchee NWR Jun 9, 2008 Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov

Region 5

   Contact:

For complete class announcements, follow this link: Class Announcement

Region 5 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor
Oceanville, NJ May 6-9, 2008 Allen Hundley (540-898-1755)
Bar Harbor, ME May 20-23, 2008 Andrew Major (603-223-2541)
Westbrook, CT May 20-23, 2008 Robert Garabedian (517-431-4341)
Annapolis, MD June 3-6, 2008 Mike Mangold (410-573-4509)
Patchogue, NY May 2-6, 2008 Tom Loring (631-286-0485)

Region 6

   Contact:

Region 6 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor
MOCC/Moving Water Module - Grand Junction, CO April 21-25, 2008 Travis Francis
MOCC - Helena, MT  Hotel and classroom information May 20-22, 2008 Clay Ronish
MOCC - Minot, ND June 16-18, 2008 Mike Goos
Airboat - Minot, ND June 19, 2008 Mike Goos

Region 7

   Contact:

Region 7 MOCC FY2008
Location Date Lead Instructor

2. Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification Course (MOICC) SAF4101
Prerequisite. Requires prerequisite of DOI's MOCC, or equivalent course approved by the Bureau's National Watercraft Safety Lead.

Course Description.The MOICC is targeted toward experienced motorboat operators who have completed the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or approved equivalent. Since the primary objective is to qualify individuals to present MOCC training to other DOI personnel, the course stresses instructional techniques and presentations. After successfully completing the course, attendees are expected to participate in teaching two MOCCs per year in coordination with an experienced group of instructors from their Region.

Course Objectives. MOICC objectives are to:

  • Train personnel in instructional techniques and presentations and qualify them to serve as MOCC instructors.
  • Review with attendees, classroom and on-the-water requirements of the MOCC, emphasizing instructional goals and objectives.
  • Familiarize attendees with how to safety and efficiently conduct the training.

Dates / Locations / Contacts for MOICC Training

None currently scheduled


3. Refresher Training for MOICC and MOCC
Course Description. Refresher training is offered to currently-certified motorboat operators. It provides updated information related to watercraft operation and helps ensure proficiency. The refresher training includes two modules: (1) Classroom instruction that assesses the operator's knowledge of safe boating, and (2) Proficiency module that assesses the operator's practical skills and abilities to operate a motorboat.

Course Objectives. The refresher training provides motorboat operators with updated information on new equipment, trends, and techniques in watercraft operation. It also provides a check of the operator's skills to ensure that individuals are able to safely operate motorboats in their expected work environment.

Options. The student must complete an educational (classroom or equivalent) examination module, and a practical proficiency module:

A. Education (Classroom or equivalent)

  1. USFWS-NCTC Web-Based Refresher Module (SAF4R02); or
  2. Retaking and passing the DOI Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) with a 70% grade.
  3. Successful completion of the DOI Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification Course (MOICC).
B. Practical Proficiency
  1. Significant proven and safe operation of motorboats since completing the MOCC. This may be selected if the individual operates boats regularly as a normal part of their job.
  2. Hands-on demonstration of boating exercises in the presence of a DOI certified instructor. This should be selected if the individual operates boats occasionally as a normal part of their job.
  3. Retaking the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). This should be selected if the individual has not operated boats on a regular or occasional basis as a normal part of their job and needs to remain certified.
  4. Successful completion of the Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification Course (MOICC).

Documentation. Each bureau will utilize established procedures, i.e. SF 182, to maintain records of operator certification and a process to ensure certification is recorded and updated.

Certification of Instructors. DOI Instructors, MOCC or MOICC, will retain certification by:

  • Instructing a MOCC or MOICC course at least every three years, or
  • Remaining active in the re-certification of their bureau's boat operators, or
  • Demonstrating to their bureau's boat/watercraft safety lead or safety manager that they have safely operated boats on-the-job over the past three years, and have kept abreast of changes affecting the boating program.


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