PRUDENT MASTER COURSE
Course Description
Boating is a traditional means of employment, recreation and transportation for ages. Recently, as result of the tremendous growth within maritime commerce which includes the Fishing Industry and Local Shipping Commerce (Water Taxis, Recreational Boating) or the Coastal and River Service and aspects of the Tourism Industry specifically the marine Tour Guides; that contributed to a significant increase of our domestic Boat captains. These Boat Captains while skilled and experienced in several aspects of boat handling and seamanship lack some basic fundamental knowledge and skills which preclude these Masters from making very informed decisions that will be beneficial to their passengers, crew, the marine environment and their own safety. Considering, that the waters are more congested and that the likelihood of a marine casualty is dramatically increased, the Prudent Master Course designed to bridge the gaps, with a view to save lives and minimize damage and spills.
This course is design to provide a comprehensive theoretic and practical hands-on training to the Licensed Master (Captain) who may need to improve various aspects of his/her seamanship skills. It reviews the best proven practices for the safe operation of motorboats. It also includes reviews and practice of skills such as; maneuvering and docking, coastal navigation, safety and emergency procedures, rules of the road, emergency communications and electronic navigation.
The course includes both a theoretical and practical component. In the practical component attendees must demonstrate specific boat handling, emergency operations procedures and navigational skills. In addition a written exam is administered where attendees must attain a minimum grade of 70 percent for a pass.
Course Participants - Who Should Attend
Anyone who is a Licensed Master (Captain), these participants may be from Marine Tour Guide Associations, Fisheries Cooperatives, Water Taxis, Port Authority, National Coast Guard, Belize Defence Force, Boat Section and the Marine NGOs such as TIDE, Southern Environmental Association, etc.
Course Objectives
The successful completion of the course will;
- Enhance specific skills and knowledge of the attendees thus allowing them to make better informed decisions about their own safety, the safety of any crew members and passengers and the safety of the vessel.
- Enhance the attendees’ knowledge of watercraft safety equipment and other gears, through demonstration and actual use.
- Review and practice attendees’ Basic Navigation knowledge and skills in order to complement their local knowledge skill thereby navigate their more vessels safely.
- Enhance the attendees fundamental knowledge of the Rules of the Road thus will prevent and/or minimize the incidents of collision (Collision Avoidance Regulation)
- Practice various maneuvers including docking, undocking, anchoring procedures and other relevant maneuvers with a focus on defensive driving.
- Review and practice man-overboard and recovery drills.
- Review and practice Fire fighting and fire prevent drill.
- Review the Maritime Pollution Regulations, in order to reduce the degradation of the marine environment.
- Review how to make and use a Waste Management Plan.
- Review the Emergency Communications Skills.
Course Prerequisites
Participants should be in possession of a Masters License and should have prior shipboard knowledge or experience. Participants must also be physically fit.
Costs-$350.00 BZD + Registration $25.00 BZD (non-refundable)
