Rescue Boat Operations Course

Rescue boat operations in breaking seas, strong currents, and rocky shorelines are a challenge even to experienced and well-trained boat crews. Add the urgency of response to reach persons or vessels in distress, plus the fine handling skills required to bring the rescue boat safely alongside persons in the water, and it should be clear that recreational boating experience is an insufficient qualification to operate a rescue craft.

We are known for our fun, dynamic training that is hands-on with very little sitting/classroom time. At least half of our courses are custom courses for groups/organizations that want a training tailored to their needs, upcoming projects, or specialized locations. STARR is committed to providing a quality rescue class that integrates information into practical skills while developing the ability to think through complicated rescue problems. We integrate knowledge into practical field exercises that work on developing judgement as well as providing hands-on training. We have some of the best Instructors in the industry to bring you the highest-quality training.

Rescue Boat Operations
In Water Vehicle Extrication (Coming Soon - Late 2026)
PWC Rescue Operations (Coming Soon - Late 2026)

Rescue Boat Operations

This course is designed and taught by professional instructors that actually work on USAR teams and have deployed to federal declared water emergencies and recreate using motorized boats in a variety of river conditions from class I – IV. We don’t teach this course on ponds or lakes, we teach this course in very dynamic river environments designed to challenge both instructor and students to make realtime decisions and take the training to the next level.

It’s a progressive course over a couple of days, and we build on boat operation fundamentals to allow the student to gain confidence and critical driving skills with ample throttle time.

This 2 day course is designed to introduce novice boat operators and familiarize current boat operators in various techniques associated with technical boat operation and proper rescue techniques in moving water. Obstacle avoidance and basic boat maneuvering skills will be practiced in class I-II moving water, and we will progress to operating in faster water both upstream and downstream as further skills are learned and basic maneuvering skills mastered. 2 days of throttle time allow for ample instruction of the basics, and we will incorporate multiple boat rescues scenario.

A variety of techniques will be developed over the length of this course and and employed in moving water requiring significant hazard avoidance and an understanding of craft response and team capability.

Coming Soon

2026/ 2027

In Water Vehicle Extrication

Vehicle extrication in water course for Swiftwater Technicians explores the skills required to deal with rescues from vehicles in water. Using purpose-designed in-water training vehicles in a controllable water flow.

The STARR Instructor cadre is the only training provider in the country to deliver a realistic approach as we operate from daylight into nighttime conditions. This course looks at vehicle behavior and stabilization in water, as well as access techniques, multiple rescue options, and single victim to multiple victim extrication techniques. Rescues from vehicles in water are a growing hazard faced by fire & rescue services.

While generic swiftwater rescue technician skills and techniques can be utilized for these rescues, current training does not provide realistic and specific exposure to these incidents. Don’t let yourself or your team miss this realistic training.

PWC Rescue Operations

Course coming soon in late 2026

This course provides the skills needed to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and perform rescue in river and flood situations. Safety, course philosophy, and PWC terminology are covered. "In water" experiences for students include how to read dynamics flow for safety travel, perform self- rescue and victim-rescue operations, along with executing pre/post-inspections of the PWC.

This course is designed for Fire & Rescue Services (FRS), Volunteer Maritime Services, Harbour Patrol, Marine Rescue Units, Police Marine Units, Search & Rescue Units, Rescue Operators (operating rescue watercraft - RWC) and those using PWC as Safety Craft

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