The Advanced Operator Package Course is a comprehensive, hands-on training program designed for boaters who are serious about mastering both vessel control and emergency preparedness. This advanced program combines recreational boating instruction with marine emergency response and essential medical emergency training, providing students with the knowledge and practical skills to safely operate a vessel while effectively responding to emergencies both on the water and on land.

Throughout this immersive training experience, 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.

This 4-day, 32-hour program combines advanced on-the-water boat handling with critical lifesaving medical training, delivering the skills, confidence, and decision-making ability required to operate safely in real-world conditions.

Note: Scheduling is flexible and dependent on weather conditions and participant experience

In this Advanced Operator Course you will be awarded:

• American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver Total First Aid CPR AED Course Completion Card, valid for two years.

• National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Course Certification of Completion valid for perpetuity.

• BEST Advanced Operator 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

• 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

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

• CPR, AED, First Aid, and medical emergency response

• 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 comprehensive boating and emergency response training

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

Build the skills that matter when it counts. The Essential Operator Package combines hands-on, on-the-water boat control training with lifesaving medical response skills—creating a well-rounded operator prepared for both routine boating and unexpected emergencies.

This 3 day 18-hour program integrates NSBC Boat Control On-Water training led by NSBC Certified Instructors and nationally recognized medical instruction, giving participants the confidence to operate safely and respond effectively when it matters most.

Note: Schedule is dependent on weather conditions and participant experience

What You’ll Learn:

This course focuses on building practical boat handling skills alongside critical emergency response capabilities.

Participants will develop the ability to:

• Confidently control and maneuver a vessel on the water

• Apply safe boat handling techniques in real-world conditions

• Recognize and respond to developing risks

• Deliver immediate lifesaving care during emergencies

Training Includes:

NSBC Boat Control On-Water Training
Hands-on instruction designed to build real-world boat handling skills through practical application—not classroom theory. Participants develop control, awareness, and confidence operating a vessel in a variety of scenarios.

Heartsaver® Total (Medical Training)
Learn essential lifesaving skills through the American Heart Association program, including:

• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

• AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Use

• First Aid for common injuries and emergencies

Stop the Bleed®
Delivered in alignment with the American College of Surgeons initiative, this training teaches participants how to control life-threatening bleeding and act quickly in trauma situations.

The Essential Operator Package is built on the understanding that safe boating requires both control of your vessel and the ability to respond to emergencies.

• Combines on-water training with medical response skills

• Focuses on real-world, scenario-based instruction

• Builds both competence and confidence

• Prepares you for emergencies on and off the water

Who This Course Is For:

• Recreational boaters seeking a strong skill foundation

• New boat owners looking for practical, hands-on training

• Individuals wanting both boating and emergency response skills

• Anyone responsible for passengers and safety on the water

By the end of this program, you will be able to operate your vessel with confidence and respond effectively in emergency situations, making you a more capable and prepared operator.

At BEST – Boating Emergency Safety Training, we deliver training that goes beyond basics. Our hands-on approach ensures you gain the real-world skills needed to operate safely, respond decisively, and protect what matters most.

Marine Emergency Day

The Marine Emergency Day is a focused, hands-on emergency preparedness course designed to provide recreational boaters with the practical knowledge and skills needed to respond to common emergencies on and around the water. This program combines marine fire extinguisher training, VHF marine radio communications, and water emergency response into one practical training experience.

Throughout this course, students receive professional instruction in marine fire prevention and extinguisher use, emergency VHF radio communications, and responding to water emergencies. Training emphasizes practical application and real-world scenarios so students can better understand what to do when an emergency occurs and how to respond calmly, safely, and effectively.

The 1 Day 4-hour Marine Emergency Day provides boaters with essential emergency-response skills that complement safe vessel operation and help prepare operators and passengers for unexpected situations on the water.

In this Marine Emergency Day you will be awarded:

• BEST Marine Emergency Day Certification of Completion valid for perpetuity.

Instruction is led by:

• United States Coast Guard credentialed Captains

• National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Certified Instructors

• International Fire Service Professional Qualification (IFSPQ) Certified Instructors

Course Includes

Marine Fire Extinguisher Training

• Marine fire prevention and recognition

• Types and proper selection of fire extinguishers

• Proper fire extinguisher operation

• Practical fire extinguisher training

Marine VHF Radio Communications

• Basic VHF radio operation

• Proper marine radio procedures and terminology

• Emergency communications

• MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, and SECURITÉ communications

• Communicating vessel location and emergency information

Water Emergency & Rescue Procedures

• Recognition and response to water emergencies

• Man-overboard response procedures

• Safe approaches and recovery considerations

• Emergency communication and coordination

• Passenger roles during an emergency

What You'll Learn

• How to recognize and respond to a marine fire

• Proper selection and operation of marine fire extinguishers

• How to safely use a fire extinguisher

• Proper VHF marine radio operation

• How and when to make emergency marine radio calls

• Information to communicate during a marine emergency

• Man-overboard response procedures

• Water emergency and rescue considerations

• Passenger communication and emergency responsibilities

• Professional tips, techniques, and best practices developed through years of marine and emergency-response experience

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students should:

• Have a basic understanding of recreational boating and vessel safety.

• Meet all applicable Florida legal boating requirements when operating a vessel.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Recreational boat owners

• New and experienced boat operators

• Family members and frequent boating passengers

• Captains and marine professionals

• Individuals responsible for passenger safety aboard recreational vessels

• Anyone wanting to be better prepared to respond to an emergency on the water