Boat Courses

Our Rescue Boat Operations courses cover both boat handling and rescue techniques in a range of environments, from basic boat handling on still water, through the unique challenges of working in floodwater in urban environments, right up to the significant technical skills required in high-energy swiftwater.

Below are a list of our most popular boat courses. For a full list of our courses available, visit www.rescue3.com/boat-courses/ or download Rescue 3’s Full Course Portfolio here.

Flood Rescue Boat Operator (FRBO)

Flood Rescue Boat Operator is a course designed to train rescue personnel in handling motorized boats during flood operations. Students are exposed to a number of topics including types of motorized boats suitable for water rescue, boat handling on still or slowly moving water, crew roles, boat safety and problem solving. Techniques are then put to work doing searches in flood environments, stranded victim and in-water retrieval, and rescue of conscious and unconscious persons. Prerequisites: Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT)

Swiftwater Rescue Boat Operator (SRBO)

This course is designed to introduce students to boat operation on swiftwater. During the course students gain experience reading moving water and operating boats in current. Using both a motor and paddles, students will practice such skills as use and avoidance of hydraulics, ferrying across current, and obstacle navigation will be practiced in Class I and II whitewater. Students then progress to operating both up and down stream in Class III and above whitewater. Other exercises include night operation scenarios and multiple boat operations. Prerequisite: FRBO or Prior Boat Experience and Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT)

Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator (SFRBO)

The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator program combines all of the skills learned in the Flood Rescue Boat Operator and Swiftwater Rescue Boat Operator courses. Students will learn to handle boats in both flat and moving water (Class III), as well as how to perform rescues safely and effectively in both environments. Prerequisite: Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT)