Students board a life raft while assisting injured victims, during an open water scenario. - Photo by Stewart Cogswell

Survival formations during open water operations. - Photo by Stewart Cogswell

Students plot a course during their practical test. - Photo by Stewart Cogswell

Instructor Adam Kowalski demonstrates in-water propellor replacement. - Photo by Stewart Cogswell

The U.S. Coast Guard demonstrates helicopter rescues. - Photo by Rob Elliott

 The Green Bay Fishery Resources Office coordinated Region 3's first standalone Open Water Module (OWM) motorboat course in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, June 27-29. 

This course was attended by eight Service employees, two Tribal law enforcements agents and one USGS employee. 

Instructors were drawn from around Region 3 including the Rock Island Ecological Services Office, Marquette Biological Station, Alpena Fishery Resources Office and the Green Bay Fishery Resources Office.  

Previously, OWM was taught in conjunction with the basic Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).  By offering the OWM as a standalone course, instructors were able to focus on open water situations and provide additional attention to those topics.  A prerequisite for taking the OWM is to complete the basic MOCC, which is required for all Service employees who operate motorboats. 

The OWM covers many skills needed to operate safely in open water areas with a combination of lecture, open water and pool sessions, using a hands-on approach.  This course expands on skills learned in the MOCC and includes additional information on topics such as sea anchors, drogues, radar reflectors, life rafts, operating in heavy seas, electronics, waves, tides, weather, survival suits, helicopter rescue, night operations and emergency procedures. 

Coastal navigation was a large component to the course and students learned how to determine location using various techniques including speed/time/distance, running fix, dead reckoning and a three-point fix.  Students were required to use these skills in practical test which included electronic and non-electronic navigation. 

Safety was another large a component to the OWM and emphasis was placed on “know before you go,” assessing risk versus data collection and situational awareness.  Students practiced survival procedures in the pool and were then required to use them in a real life scenario on Lake Michigan which included a life raft deployment, safety formations, asset assessment, visual distress signals, rations, first aid, and psychological effects on survival.

The Open Water Module provides the necessary information and skills for Service employees, with and without experience, to become safe and reliable motorboat operators and crew members.  Some personnel may need additional time at their individual stations to practice skills learned and gain valuable experience operating motorboats in the field.  For additional information please contact Stewart Cogswell, Green Bay Fishery Resources Office, at (920)866-1763.