The Boating Emergency Safety Training (BEST) Course is our flagship, all-inclusive course designed to develop confident, competent, and prepared boat operators. This comprehensive, hands-on program combines advanced recreational boating instruction with essential emergency medical response training, providing students with the knowledge and practical skills to safely operate a vessel while effectively responding to emergencies on and around the water.
Throughout this intensive five-day course, students receive professional instruction in boat handling, close-quarters maneuvering, docking, emergency maneuvers, fire prevention, marine communications, medical emergencies, and lifesaving techniques. Training emphasizes real-world scenarios, helping students build confidence through repetition and practical application.
The 5 Days (40 Hours) BEST Course is the most comprehensive training experience, combining nationally recognized boating instruction with professional emergency response certification to prepare students for real-world boating challenges and medical emergencies.
In this BEST Course you will be awarded:
American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver Total First Aid CPR AED Course Completion Card, valid for two years.
American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed Course Certification of Completion valid for perpetuity.
National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Course Certification of Completion valid for perpetuity.
BEST Course Certification of Completion valid for perpetuity.
Instruction is led by:
United States Coast Guard credentialed Captains
National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Certified Instructors
AHA Certified Instructors
ACS Certified Instructors
International Fire Service Professional Qualification (IFSPQ) Certified Instructors
Course Includes
NSBC Boat Control On-Water Training
Module 1 – Fundamentals of Boat Control
Module 2 – Intermediate Boat Handling
Module 3 – Advanced Maneuvering
Module 4 – Open Water Operations
Marine Emergency Response Training
Marine Fire Extinguisher Training
Marine VHF Radio Communications
Water Emergency & Rescue Procedures
Medical Emergency Training
American Heart Association CPR
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
First Aid
Stop the Bleed®
Bloodborne Pathogens
What You'll Learn
Vessel preparation and pre-departure safety inspections
Docking, undocking, and close-quarters maneuvering
Precision boat handling in wind and current
Emergency stopping and avoidance maneuvers
Safe fueling procedures
Passenger safety and emergency preparedness
Marine fire prevention and suppression
Proper VHF radio communication
Medical emergency response and lifesaving techniques
Water rescue and emergency management
Professional tips, techniques, and best practices developed through years of on-the-water experience
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must:
Successfully complete a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Course (online or classroom).
Meet all applicable Florida legal boating requirements.
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for:
Recreational boat owners
New and experienced boat operators
Families operating powerboats
Captains seeking advanced recreational skills
Individuals employed to operate marine patrol, security, or work vessels
Anyone wanting to become a safer, more confident operator on the water
Our most comprehensive training experience. The BEST Package is a 5-day, 40-hour all-inclusive program designed to develop complete boat operator proficiency—combining advanced vessel control with critical lifesaving and emergency response skills.
Note: Scheduling is flexible and dependent on weather conditions and participant experience
This flagship course delivers an immersive, hands-on training environment where participants gain the knowledge, skill, and confidence required to safely operate a vessel and effectively respond to real-world marine emergencies.
Modules One through Four of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Boat Control On-Water Training Program are included. Instruction is led by NSBC Certified Instructors, ensuring nationally recognized standards and proven on-water training methods.
What You’ll Learn:
This program integrates boat handling mastery with emergency preparedness, ensuring participants are capable of both operating a vessel and protecting lives on and off the water.
Participants will develop the critical skills needed to:
Safely dock, maneuver, and control a vessel in all conditions
Execute advanced boat handling techniques and precision maneuvers
Prevent, identify, and respond to onboard fire emergencies
Apply life-saving techniques during medical and water emergencies
Manage and mitigate unexpected onboard incidents
Build situational awareness and decision-making in dynamic environments
Training emphasizes real-world application, ensuring smooth and secure transitions between land and water for all passengers onboard.
Training Includes:
Boat Safety and Operational Awareness
Docking and Close-Quarters Maneuvering
Advanced Boat Handling and Open-Water Operations
Fire Safety, Prevention, and Response
Life-Saving Techniques and Survival Skills
CPR, AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed
Practical Tips, Techniques, and Best Practices
All instruction is delivered by Nationally certified Instructors and U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captains and is conducted in a safe, controlled environment with a strong focus on confidence, competence, and crew safety. Participants operate vessels while wearing properly fitted life jackets and following all navigation rules and safety practices.
Who This Course Is For:
New boat owners seeking complete training
Recreational boaters looking for full-spectrum skill development
Individuals preparing for extended or offshore boating
Anyone serious about mastering both boat operation and emergency response
At BEST – Boating Emergency Safety Training, we don’t just teach boating—we build capable operators. This flagship program delivers the highest level of hands-on training, combining decades of real-world experience with proven instructional methods to ensure every participant leaves prepared, confident, and ready for the water.