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
Be prepared when it matters most. The Marine Emergency Training course is a focused, hands-on 4-hour program designed to give boaters the critical skills needed to respond confidently to emergencies on the water.
This course goes beyond theory—participants engage in practical, scenario-based training that reflects real-world boating conditions, ensuring you’re ready to act quickly and effectively when seconds count.
What You’ll Learn:
Marine Fire Extinguisher Training
Learn how to identify fire risks onboard, select the correct extinguisher, how to use and safely suppress common marine fires—including engine and fuel-related incidents. Training emphasizes rapid response and proper technique in confined marine environments.
Marine VHF Radio Operations
Master essential communication skills using a Marine VHF radio. Topics include proper radio protocol, distress calls (Mayday/Pan-Pan), channel selection, and communicating effectively with the Coast Guard and nearby vessels during emergencies.
Water Emergency Training
Develop the skills needed to respond to on-water emergencies, including man overboard situations, distress recognition, and immediate action strategies to protect life until help arrives.
Who This Course Is For:
Recreational boaters
New boat owners
Families and passengers
Anyone looking to improve on-the-water safety and preparedness
At BEST – Boating Emergency Safety Training, we deliver more than information—we build capability. Our training is rooted in real-world emergency response experience and tailored to the dynamic conditions of the marine environment. You’ll leave with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the water.