Safety, Rescue & Race Support Boat Handling
This 10- to 12-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who will be operating a race support boat for a race, regatta or event. An operator of a race support boat is expected to be able to perform safety, rescue and mark-setting operations. This course is the same as the Safety and Rescue Boat Handling Course, except for the addition of a Race Support Boat module. Participants learn:
On-the-Water Sessions
- VHF radio communications
- Boat rescues, incl. capsizes
- Person in Water rescue
- Towing: astern & alongside
- Williamson turn
- Steering a range in/outbound
- Intercepting & maintaining position with moving vessel
- Use of bearings & GPS
- Search pattern
- Taking wind readings
- Setting & moving marks using range/bearing & GPS
- Setting a starting line & gate
Classroom Sessions
- Weather & water briefings
- VHF radio procedures
- Safety & rescue equipment & procedures
- Towing concepts
- Search patterns concepts
- Plotting a position
- Calculating tides & currents
- Race support boat equipment & procedures
- Effects of wind & current
- Race course configurations
Prerequisites: Safe Powerboat Handling certificate & proficient
boathandling skills
Suggested Age: 12–adult
Certification(s) Earned: Safety and Rescue Boat Handling certificate,
Race Support Boat endorsement
