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Course Info & Prework

Schedule:
**Policy & Planning
**Science & Statistics

Course Descriptions

Course Resources


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



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: Aaron Garcia (208) 476-7242; aaron_garcia@fws.gov

Region 1 & Region 8 MOCC FY2009
Location
Date
Course Contact
MOCC - Oahu, HI Feb 2-4, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Oahu, HI (with NOAA) Feb 5-6, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Oahu, HI (with NOAA) Feb 9-11, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Oahu, HI (split course) Feb 9, 12-13, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Oahu, HI (with NOAA) Feb 17-18, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Oahu, HI (split course) Feb 17, 19, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Folsom, CA March 18-20, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Airboat Module - Willows, CA April 22, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
First Responder Training - Midway Atoll May 4-8, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Astoria, OR June 15-17, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Airboat Module - Ilwaco, WA June 18-19, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
River Module - Lewiston, ID July 8-9, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOICC - Orofino, ID July 13-17, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Orofino, ID July 15-17, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
River Module - Hells Canyon, ID July 19-20, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
River Module - Red Bluff, CA August 12-13, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Richland, WA August 25-27, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Oahu, HI (with NOAA) Sept 21-23, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Oahu, HI (with NOAA) Sept 24-25, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
MOCC - Bodega Bay, CA (with UCD) Nov 2-4, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov
Open Water Module - Bodega Bay, CA (with UCD) Nov 5-6, 2009 Aaron_Garcia@fws.gov

Region 2

Contact: TBA

Region 2 MOCC FY2009
Location Date Lead Instructor

Region 3

Contact: Dave Wedan (608) 783-8435; dave_wedan@fws.gov

For specific course logistics, please open the following document:
2009 Region 3 Schedule

Region 3 MOCC FY2009
Location
Date
Lead Instructor
MOCC - Marquette Bio Station, MI April 21-23, 2009
kyle_krysiak@fws.gov
MOCC - Ludington Bio Station, MI April 21-23, 2009
dave_keffer@fws.gov
MOCC Refresher (covers both the: On-Water portion and educational portion) - Marquette/Ludington Bio Station, MI April 22, 2009
kyle_krysiak@fws.gov
MOICC Instructor Training - Onalaska, WI April 27-May 1, 2009
anne_sittauer@fws.gov
MOCC - Lansing, IA April - May TBA
clyde_male@fws.gov
MOCC - Crab Orchard NWR, IL May 19-21, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
MOCC Refresher (covers both the: On-Water portion and educational portion) - Crab Orchard NWR, IL May 20, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
Airboat Module (MOCC completion is a prerequisite to taking airboat training) - Crab Orchard NWR, IL May 21-22, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
MOCC - Onalaska, WI June 16-18, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
MOCC Refresher (covers both the: On-Water portion and educational portion) - Onalaska, WI June 17, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
MV Spencer F Baird Module(Safety Course for Fisheries biologists/techs scheduled to work on Baird) - Cheboygan, IM July 14-16, 2009
adam_kowalski@fws.gov
MOCC - McGregor, MN July 28-30, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
MOCC Refresher (covers both the: On-Water portion and educational portion) - McGregor, MN July 29, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
Airboat Module (MOCC completion is a prerequisite to taking airboat training) - McGregor, MN July 30-31, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov
Open-Water Module (Completion of the MOCC is a prerequisite to this advanced course) (Great Lakes) - Alpena, MI August 18-20, 2009
dave_wedan@fws.gov

Region 4

Contact: Richard Blackburn (239) 472-1114; richard_blackburn@fws.gov

Region 4 MOCC FY2009
Location Date Lead Instructor
Richard Blackburn:  Richard_Blackburn@fws.gov

Region 5

Contact: Bob Garabedian (518) 431-4341; robert_garabedian@fws.gov

For specific course logistics, please open the following document:
2009 Course Announcement

Region 5 MOCC FY2009
Location
Date
Lead Instructor
MOCC - Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine                         May 19-22, 2009 Robert_Garabedian@fws.gov
MOCC - Stewart B McKinney NWR NWR, Westbrook, Connecticut                       May 19-22, 2009 Robert_Garabedian@fws.gov
MOCC - Fire Island National Seashore, Patchogue, New York                       June 02-05, 2009 Thomas_Loring@fws.gov
MOCC - Maryland Fishery Resources Office, Annapolis, Maryland                   June 09-12-2009 Mike_Mangold@fws.gov

Region 6

Contact: John R. Miesner (785) 539-3473, ext. 102; Work fax: (785) 539-8567; john_miesner@fws.gov

Region 6 MOCC FY2009
Location Date Lead Instructor
MMOICC - (OJT) Minot, North Dakota. Upper Souris NWR
June 14-18, 2009 mike_goos@fws.gov
MOCC Minot, North Dakota. Upper Souris NWR
June 16- 18, 2009 mike_goos@fws.gov
Airboat Module Minot, North Dakota. Upper Souris NWR June 19, 2009 mike_goos@fws.gov

Region 7

Contact: Bill Schaff (907) 524-3251; bill_schaff@fws.gov

Region 7 MOCC FY2009
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.


Last Updated: September 18, 2009
National Conservation Training Center
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