CorePass Watercraft Rescue Awareness (NFPA 1006)

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

Target Candidates:

Public safety responders who are not part of a boat crew, who may have to travel on a boat as part of their duties such as a paramedic travelling on a Coastguard vessel to access to a patient or tactical operators as part of a boarding party.

It also is suitable for those supporting watercraft operations such as shore crew or those working on boats in a support role. 

Syllabus:

• Local laws, AHJ policies and plans
• Hazard and risk assessment
• Lifejacket selection, fitting and operation
• Watercraft capabilities and resources
• Size up and incident management
• Gathering and relaying information 
• Communication and signals
• Entering and exiting watercraft as passenger
• Emergency, self-rescue and survival procedures
• Support watercraft operations within incident management structure
• Securing access to the incident scene
• Equipment to support watercraft rescue

Next Steps:

Candidates should aim to undergo assessment for IPSQA ProQual Watercraft Rescue Operator. 

ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator

• Knots and lines
• Watercraft types and capacities 
• Navigational aids and markers
• Watercraft stability, weight, and balance
• Cargo loading and distribution
• Pre-launch checks (Deployment Aid Memoire)
• Launching and recovering procedures
• Crew overboard procedure
• Dewatering methods
• Search operating procedures and patterns
• Helmsman skills
• Docking vessel
• Anchoring vessel
• Towing vessels
• Applied navigation
• Vessel maneuvering 
• Radio communications
• Post-incident procedures
• Rescue of non-crew persons in water
• In-water victim recovery onto watercraft
• Management of animals at water incidents
• Use of GPS for navigation
• Mission planning including risk assessment and route planning

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of practical skills (Part B). Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Special Note:

NFPA 1006 provides for a wide range of watercraft including non-motorized, personal water craft, air boats, amphibious and hover craft. In accordance with ISO17024:2012, IPSQA allows for any such vessel to be used, however only where a candidate has passed IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator assessment that is endorsed with a tiller steered, motorized vessel under 6m, shall it meet the pre-requisites for IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder). 

Next Steps:

Candidates who complete this level have two options. They can either prepare and undergo assessment against:

1. IPSQA ProQual Watercraft Rescue Technician, or 
2. IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder) focusing on one or more of the strand options (flat water, swiftwater, or marine) after competing listed pre-requisites.  

Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder)

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

• Flat Water I
• Swiftwater I
• Marine I

Target Candidates:

Public safety responders who are seeking a highly robust certification to skipper a motorized watercraft less than 6m in length for rescue operations in daylight conditions in specified elementary conditions (flat water, swiftwater or marine). 

The Awards in Public Safety (Boat Responder) includes additional content aligned to the OSHA Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR Part 1910).

Flat Water I

Pre-requisites:

• CorePass Competent Swimmer I
• CorePass Competent Lifejacket User
• CorePass First Aid II
• CorePass Psychological First Aid I
• CorePass Bloodborne Pathogens
• CorePass Hazardous Materials Awareness (NFPA 470 HAZWOPER)
• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator*

• Nil.

Part B Skills Assessment:

• Parbuckling
• Towing
• Picking up a buoy
• Low and high speed manoeuvring
• Fault finding 
• Power turns
• Reversing
• Closing/bearing away
• Beaching under speed
• Coming alongside
• Capsize and righting
• Loss of power drill
• Use of GPS to navigate on water

Part C Professional Requirements:

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• 20 hours total logged boat time
• 5 hours logged helm time (post-Part B)
• 5 hours logged crew hours/non-helm (post-Part B)
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents as boat  responder.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Swiftwater I

Pre-requisites:

• CorePass Competent Swimmer II
• CorePass First Aid II
• CorePass Psychological First Aid I
• CorePass Bloodborne Pathogens
• CorePass Hazardous Materials Awareness (NFPA 470 HAZWOPER)
• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator*
• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Swiftwater Technician 

Part B Skills Assessment (within 6 months of Part A):

• Parbuckling
• Towing
• Picking up a buoy
• Low and high speed manoeuvring
• Fault finding 
• Holding station
• Ferry gliding
• Power turns
• Reversing
• Confined area turns
• Closing/bearing away
• Beaching under speed
• Coming alongside
• Capsize and righting
• Shallow water operation
• Use of GPS to navigate on water
• Loss of power drill

Part C Professional Requirements:

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• 40 hours total logged boat time on Class I water
• 10 hours logged helm time hours (post-Part B) on Class I water
• 10 hours logged crew hours/non-helm (post-Part B) on Class I water
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents (Class I water) as boat  responder.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Marine I

Pre-requisites:

• CorePass Competent Swimmer I
• CorePass Competent Lifejacket User
• CorePass First Aid II
• CorePass Psychological First Aid I
• CorePass Bloodborne Pathogens
• CorePass Hazardous Materials Awareness (NFPA 470 HAZWOPER)
• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator*

Part B Skills Assessment (within 6 months of Part A):

• Parbuckling
• Towing
• Picking up a buoy
• Low and high speed manoeuvring
• Fault finding 
• Crossing waves and surf
• Power turns
• Reversing
• Closing/bearing away
• Beaching under speed
• Coming alongside
• Capsize and righting
• Use of GPS to navigate on water
• Loss of power drill

Part C Professional Requirements (within 6 months of Part B):

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• 40 hours total logged boat time on <1m wave height.
• 10 hours logged helm time (post-Part B) on <1m wave height.
• 10 hours logged crew hours/non-helm (post-Part B) on <1m wave height.
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents (<1m wave height.) as boat  responder in adverse conditions with wave height <1m.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Special Note:

1. NFPA 1006 provides for a wide range of watercraft including non-motorized, personal water craft, air boats, amphibious and hover craft. In accordance with ISO17024:2012, IPSQA allows for any such vessel to be used, however only where a candidate has passed IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator that is endorsed with a tiller steered, motorized vessel under 6m, shall it meet the pre-requisites for IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder). 

Next Steps:

Candidates who complete this level should prepare and undergo assessment against IPSQA ProQual Watercraft Rescue Technician.

ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician

Target Candidates:

Public safety responders who are seeking an intermediate level certification to skipper a watercraft for rescue operations in daylight conditions and apply a range of additional skills such as towing and operation of specialist equipment often found in larger vessels (such as Radar and FLIR).  

Pre-requisite:

IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Operator.

Syllabus:

• Watercraft specific procedures and checks
• Conventional and electronic navigation tools
• Anchor size and length requirements
• Advanced search and rescue techniques. 
• Water hydraulics and their effect on watercraft
• Towing other watercraft
• Night and limited visibility operations
• Victim recovery from submerged or capsized watercraft
• Coordinating multi-agency watercraft operations. 
• Rescue of incapacitated in-water victims
• Close quarter manoeuvring
• Search patterns
• Fire suppression
• Operation of on-board specialist equipment
• Debriefing and after action reporting 
• Securing watercraft 

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of practical skills (Part B). Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Special Note:

1. NFPA 1006 provides for a wide range of watercraft including non-motorized, personal water craft, air boats, amphibious and hover craft. In accordance with ISO17024:2012, IPSQA allows for any such vessel to be used, however only where a candidate has passed IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician assessment that is endorsed with a tiller steered, motorized vessel under 6m, shall it meet the pre-requisites for IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Specialist). 

Next Steps:

Candidates who complete this level should prepare and undergo assessment against IPSQA Certificate in Public Safety (Boat Specialist) focusing on one or more of the strand options (flat water, swiftwater, or marine) after competing listed pre-requisites.  

Certificate in Public Safety (Boat 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.

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

Target Candidates:

Public safety responders who are able to operate a motorized boat for  daylight or low visibility rescue operations within a in specified range of complex environmental conditions (flat water, swiftwater or marine) requiring advanced knowledge and skills.  

Flat Water II

Pre-requisites:

• IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder) Flat Water I
• ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician*
• CorePass Public Safety Radio (see special notes)

• Chartwork and navigation knowledge
• Distress signals and emergency procedures
• Rules of the road at sea (collision prevention rules)
• Equipment and boat gear, including safety and communication devices
• Weather interpretation and meteorological information
• Tides and tidal calculations
• Compass use and navigation
• Maritime regulations and skipper responsibilities

Part B Skills Assessment:

• Advanced scenarios
• Working with divers
• Inter-vessel boarding under way
• Use of specialist crew protection (water rescue breathing apparatus)

Part C Professional Requirements:

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• Logged and verified hours (see strand comparison table)
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents as boat  specialist at night or low visibility.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Swiftwater II

Pre-requisites:

• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician*
• IPSQA Certificate in Public Safety (Swiftwater Specialist)
• CorePass Public Safety Radio (see special notes)

• Chartwork and navigation knowledge
• Distress signals and emergency procedures
• Rules of the road at sea (collision prevention rules)
• Equipment and boat gear, including safety and communication devices
• Weather interpretation and meteorological information
• Tides and tidal calculations
• Compass use and navigation
• Maritime regulations and skipper responsibilities

Part B Skills Assessment:

• Advanced scenarios
• Working with divers
• Inter-vessel boarding under way
• Use of specialist crew protection (water rescue breathing apparatus)

Part C Professional Requirements:

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• Logged and verified hours (see strand comparison table)
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents as boat  specialist at night or low visibility.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B (NFPA Watercraft Rescue Technician). Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Marine II

Pre-requisites:

• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician*
• IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder) Marine I
• CorePass Public Safety Radio (see special notes)

• Chartwork and navigation knowledge
• Distress signals and emergency procedures
• Rules of the road at sea (collision prevention rules)
• Equipment and boat gear, including safety and communication devices
• Weather interpretation and meteorological information
• Tides and tidal calculations
• Compass use and navigation
• Maritime regulations and skipper responsibilities

Part B Skills Assessment: 

• Advanced scenarios
• Working with divers
• Inter-vessel boarding under way
• Use of specialist crew protection (water rescue breathing apparatus)

Part C Professional Requirements:

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• Logged and verified hours (see strand comparison table)
• Participation in at least 2 exercises or operational incidents as boat  specialist in adverse conditions.

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Marine III

Pre-requisites:

• IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician*
• IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Responder) Marine II
• CorePass Off-Shore Sea Survival
• CorePass Fire Suppression I 
• Maritime VHF operator certification or higher (IMO recognised)

• Chartwork and navigation knowledge
• Distress signals and emergency procedures
• Rules of the road at sea (collision prevention rules)
• Equipment and boat gear, including safety and communication devices
• Weather interpretation and meteorological information
• Tides and tidal calculations
• Compass use and navigation
• Maritime regulations and skipper responsibilities
• Engine systems and maintenance 
• Integration of drones (UAVs, UUVs, ROUVs)

Part B Skills Assessment (within 6 months of Part A):

• Parbuckling
• Knots and rope work
• Radar operation
• AIS operation
• Mooring lines
• Anchoring
• Towing 
• Emergency procedures (MOB, Fire, Abandon Ship, Collision)
• EPIRB and pyrotechnics 
• Sea anchor/Drogues
• Bar crossing
• Backup engine controls
• Boat handling, including stability, anchoring, and maneuvering
• Advanced scenarios
• Preparing for helicopter hoist operations from vessel
• Working with divers

Part C Professional Requirements (within 6 months of Part B):

• Letter of Attestation from AHJ or IPSQA Assessor
• Logged and verified hours (see strand comparison table)
• Logged and verified experience as Skipper in least 3 exercises or operational incidents in adverse conditions.
• Logged and verified experience as Skipper for two out of the three following activities (operations or exercise):
  • Helicopter hoist of person from vessel underway
  • Working with divers completing tasking from vessel
  • Inter-ship boarding operation 
  • Tow side-scan sonar or other surveillance device

Re-certification:

Three yearly through re-assessment of Part B. Annual IPSQA Skills Check recommended in between recertification.

Special Notes:

1. NFPA 1006 provides for a wide range of watercraft including non-motorized, personal water craft, air boats, amphibious and hover craft. In accordance with ISO17024:2012, IPSQA allows for any such vessel to be used, however only where a candidate has passed IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Watercraft Rescue Technician that is endorsed with a tiller steered, motorized vessel under 6m, shall it meet the pre-requisites for IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Boat Specialist).
2. Accredited Testing Centre’s may provide Recognition of Prior Learning for candidates who hold a recognised maritime radio operator qualification such as the New Zealand Coastguard Maritime VHF Operator Certificate or a Restricted Telephone Operators Certificate (IMO recognised) and where the candidate can demonstrate the requirements of ISPQA Standard 7024:2024. 
3. RPL from IPSQA is available for Flat Water II Part A, Swiftwater II Part A and Marine II Part A, for approved courses including New Zealand Boatmaster Certificate. RPL is not available from ATCs. 

Scheme Highlights

• Globally available and relevant
• Contemporary syllabus
• No proprietary training required
• Independently assessed*
• Enhances compliance against OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910
• Multi-standard (NFPA & IPSQA) outcomes
• Marine I aligned to STCW Code Table A-VI/2-2 (Fast Rescue Boat) and Model Course 1.24
• Marine II aligned to UK Rescue Boat Code
• Swiftwater II exceeds syllabus requirements of DEFRA Module 4
• Customisable to local languages
• ISO 17024:2012 compliant certification*
• QR verifiable awarding document
• Skills assessment result notification include ability to record vessel type
• Able to undergo multiple skills assessment on different vessel types
• Eligible for National Security Protocol
• Complete through a range of ATCs
• Meet DEFRA requirements tracking CPD through IPSQA CPDPass™
• Developed by award winning experts
• Integrate with Teal Card, IPSQA’s global PPE fit testing system
• Integrate with Orange Card, IPSQA’s optional annual skills check system to assist meeting OSHA requirements.
• Transparent re-certification requirements
• Provides pathway to IPSQA Diploma in Public Safety
• Recognition, ultimately as a Boat Specialist.

* CorePass products including CorePass Swiftwater Awareness (NFPA 1006) are not assessed in accordance with ISO17024 as the assessor is permitted to have been the candidate’s instructor/trainer. 

IPSQA ProQual NFPA 1006 Surf Rescue is under development. Once this has been released, an additional category for surf environments.  

IPSQA Boat Responder and Boat Specialist are currently only available for tiller and console type rigid or inflatable rescue craft. 

Those seeking non-motorized watercraft (i.e. sled and raft) operator certification for swiftwater, this is already embedded into IPSQA Swiftwater Responder and Specialist certifications.