NSBC and TowBoatUS Host Boating Safety For First Responders

In partnership with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), TowBoatUS Lake Allatoona, a 24-hour on water towing and assistance service based in Cartersville, recently hosted a three-day “Essentials of Close Quarters and Open Water Boat Control” on-water instructor certification course for local first responders. The course was one of many offered across the country each year by local partners and NSBC, a national public private coalition that provides safe boating educational resources, outreach programming, and training opportunities.

“This was a train-the-trainer type of event,” said TowBoatUS Lake Allatoona owner Capt. Chris Day. “Now, these firemen are NSBC-certified instructors and can teach the basic Boat Control On-Water Training to other local boaters or fellow first responders back at the firehouse.”

Day, a former law enforcement officer and NSBC-certified instructor trainer, added, “Many public safety departments have a big need for this kind of training. Firefighters are taught how to fight fires, but there is a gap in boat safety and handling skills. That’s where we help.” Day says he will continue to offer NSBC courses to meet regional demand, much of it coming from Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

All NSBC courses include certified instructors who train boat operators in close quarters maneuvers such as docking and fueling sites, then progress to advanced open water maneuvers, increasing handling skills and confidence. Training vessels are provided and course pricing varies by location. Course content conforms to the American National Standard for on-water skills as verified through an independent third-party assessment process. To find out more about any of the NSBC’s training courses go to safeboatingcouncil.org.