This “hands-on” course will train you in the many aspects of marine enforcement operations.  From the basics of navigation and marine law to more advanced concepts like boating under the influence enforcement and boating crash investigations, you will learn a wide range of skills for use in daily marine unit activities.   

Classroom time will focus on topics such as basic nautical terms, various hull types of vessels, crew responsibilities and more.  You will also be introduced to more specialized duties including search and rescue operations and special event details.

Field exercises have been designed to teach you survival skills in the water as well as first aid, assisted rescues and responding to injuries and hypothermia.  We will also teach you different methods of boat handling, with topics ranging from simple docking actions to water rescue procedures to slow and high speed maneuvering.  Both novices and experts will gain the skills and knowledge to confidently handle their vessels in any situation that might arise on the water.

Topics include:
•  Role of the marine enforcement officer
      - Duties and responsibilities
      - General orders/SOP
      - Jurisdiction
      - MOUs
•  Marine law
      - Authority
      - Registration/titling
      - Documented vessels
      - Hull identification numbers (HIN)
      - Vessel theft/hidden numbers
•  Carriage requirements/navigational rules
      - Carriage requirements
      - Navigation lights
      - Navigation rules
•  Water Rescue
      - Self-rescue/water survival
      - Assisted rescue
      - Injuries
      - Hypothermia
•  Knowing your boat
      - Terminology
      - Boat classifications
      - Hull types
      - Engine types
      - Marlinspike/lines
•  Tactics
      - Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
      - Boating accidents (basic preliminary investigations)
      - Special topics
 • Search and rescue (SAR)
 • Run-away vessels
 • Disabled vessels
 • Weather
•  Basic Operation
      - Trailering
      - Boat maneuvering
      - Launch and recovery
      - Docking
•  Boat Operation
      - Slow speed maneuvering
      - High speed maneuvering
      - Towing
•  LEO inspections/scenarios
•  Outfitting a patrol vessel

Notes:   You should bring to class a copy of your agency’s current marine policies and procedures (if any).

Special equipment needed for course:
•  Police patrol boat from 17' to 30', single or twin engine
•  Fenders for your vessel
•  Clothing consistent with seasonal conditions:
     - Long sleeve shirt with buttons; BDU's are fine
     - Long pants with zippers
     - Sneakers that can get wet
     - Sun protection and foul weather gear
•  Mask, snorkel, swim fins and bathing suit
•  Throwable device, throw-ring or throw-bag
•  An inflatable personal flotation device (PFD)

Prerequisites:
•  You must be an active Law Enforcement Officer or trainee.
•  You must be a proficient swimmer and able to actively function within the marine environment.
•  Recreational boating experience is helpful but not required.

Audience:   Sworn law enforcement personnel whose primary or secondary responsibilities include enforcement regulations of watercraft operations, officers that are new to the field and agencies that are creating a new marine unit

Course length:  40 hours