Skill-based Operator Certification

Certification of operators is intended to assure that any person who operates a NOAA small boat has passed minimum criteria relating to knowledge and skill. The wide range of operational risks inherent in the vast array of NOAA small boat operations dictates that field activities must be responsible for implementing operator skill certification criteria. The importance of text-based training and evaluation toward establishing and verifying a basic knowledge base for all small boat operators is not superceeded or replaced by certification through demonstration of practical skills.

Skill criteria should be used:

  1. in conjunction with underway time accumulated with out accident in order to establish "grandfathering" criteria for existing operators,
  2. to supplement the minimal operator training criteria in NAO 217-103 when that criteria is not sufficient or not applicable to address specific operational risks, or
  3. as a means to ensure that boat operations are conducted in a safe and professional manner which, when visible to the general public, will reflect positively on NOAA.

The following exercises involve various degrees of small boat handling expertise and can/should be considered in developing skills-based certification criteria. For skill based certification to be meaningful, the successful demonstration of the skills must include specific criteria for evaluation and passing. For example, being able to dock a boat with out causing a 2" bolt standing on its head to fall over, is a specific criteria for passing a docking exercise.

High Speed Operation and Handling

Describe cautions to take when bringing a boat up to full speed, identify engine RPMs for full ahead

Demonstrate bringing the vessel up to full speed

Demonstrate and describe importance of maintaining a proper lookout

Conduct tight radius turns without causing propeller cavitation and describe signs of propeller cavitation

Demonstrate high speed avoidance techniques including turns and emergency astern

Close Quarters Maneuvering

Maneuver boat through 360 degrees within two boat lengths by utilizing back and fill turns

Maneuver boat astern around obstacles/bouys

Maneuver boat through anchorages

Docking/Undocking

Demonstrate use of various lines (fore and aft spring, endlass, breast, stern, bow) in getting away from and alongside a dock

Demonstrate docking and undocking in currents and wind

Demonstrate mooring a boat in a slip

Anchoring

Demonstrate dropping anchor, setting anchor, selection of proper scope for bottom characteristics

Describe effect of scope, bottom type, and environmental conditions on anchor watch radius

Raise anchor and dicuss tactics or cautions in freeing fouled anchors

General Operations

Maneuver and hold station within 1 boat length of a fixed object (buoy, mooring, piling)

Maneuver and take an adrift object alongside and aboard the vessel (PFD, float)

Deploy and retrieve SCUBA divers

Demonstrate coming alongside an underway vessel

High Risk Operations

Describe risks and demonstrate proficiency for landing and launching boats from low energy coasts

Describe risks and demonstrate techniques for landing and launching boats in high energy coasts (Surf Zone or Beach landings).

Describe risks and demonstrate techniques for towing vessels alongside or astern

Describe risks (stability and general risks) and demonstrate deploying and retrieving fishing gear or heavy apparatus

Miscellaneous

Demonstrate safe speed and navigational techniques for various situations including reduced visibility, heavy weather, or large traffic avoidance

Describe precautions to take prior to encountering heavy weather

Identify of signs of impending weather

Identify local hazards to navigation