IPSQA breaks barriers with the world’s first multi-standard certification for motorized rescue boats practitioners aligned to NFPA, IMO, IMRF and DEFRA syllabus requirements.

Developed by a panel of global experts, IPSQA’s Boat Operator certification scheme is not only the first to comply with ISO17024*, but has the most comprehensive international syllabus, exceeding all technical requirements found in NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue, International Maritime Organization Fast Rescue Boat STCW Code Table A-VI/2-2, and DEFRA Module 4 Water and Flood Boat Operator syllabus. This assessment-based system ensures candidates meet various national and international standards in motorized boat rescue, regardless of their training source. How your personnel get prepared for assessment is up to you!

Levels

Awareness

The pathway begins with CorePass® NFPA 1006 Rescue Watercraft Awareness, which is quality assured by IPSQA to ensure that individuals working in support or travelling on rescue watercraft are safe and prepared.

Operations & Technician

Candidates then progress to the ProQual Series, known as the “silver standard”, which requires proctored examinations and skills assessments for both NFPA 1006 Rescue Watercraft Operator and Technician levels. This represents the world’s first ISO17024:2012 compliant certification against NFPA 1006 for Rescue Watercraft and can be undertaken with a variety of vessel types.

Responder

Going beyond NFPA Watercraft Operator, the Award in Public Safety (Watercraft Responder) provides detailed objectives for three categories of vessel. IPSQA Boat Responder requires additional pre-requisites and experience including night operations, and is further categorized into strands:

  • Flat Water I
  • Swiftwater I
  • Marine I

Specialist

The programme culminates in the Certificate in Public Safety (Boat Specialist), the highest certification available from IPSQA, exceeding traditional technician requirements in countries such as the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK, including covering additional content aligned to the OSHA Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR Part 1910) that also permits equivalent alternative standards to NFPA to be used. IPSQA Boat Specialist requires additional pre-requisites and experience including night operations, and is further categorized into strands:

  • Flat Water II
  • Swiftwater II
  • Marine II
  • Marine III

Boats are not made equal, IPSQA result notifications can record the boat specification the candidate was assessed on.

Other Certification Products

For candidates seeking certification for related competencies, IPSQA offers a range of other certification products including: