Swiftwater Boat Operator | Moab, UT June 8-11, 2027

The Swiftwater Boat Operator course is a four-day, 40-hour program for rescue professionals operating motorized craft in Class I–IV moving water. Training emphasizes defensible decisions, repeatable boat handling, crew safety, rescue access, and mission completion.

WHEN: June 8–11, 2027
DAILY WINDOW: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Day 3 extends into large-scale night search operations.
WHERE: Moab, Utah
FIELD SITE: Colorado River
LEAD INSTRUCTOR: Eric Riley
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR: Jonathan Wilson

AGENCY WATERCRAFT: $2,495 per craft plus a $75 permit fee. A $500 non-refundable registration deposit is due per craft; the balance is invoiced. Plan for 2–3 operators per craft. This course is sold by watercraft, not by attendee.

INDIVIDUAL / SHARED SSI WATERCRAFT: $1,895 per participant, permit included. The $500 non-refundable registration deposit applies to tuition, leaving a $1,395 tuition balance. A separate $500 refundable damage deposit is assessed with the balance invoice.

Check or ACH is accepted. Credit-card payments incur a 3% processing fee.

NFPA COMPLIANCE: NFPA 1006 & 1670 compliant; NFPA 1006 Chapter 22 (2021), USAR, and FEMA.

COURSE FORMAT:

1. Day 1 – Systems and Fundamentals: equipment readiness, hydrology, craft characteristics, launch systems, and baseline control.
2. Day 2 – Precision Handling: ferries, eddy work, obstacle management, crew movement, and controlled approaches.
3. Day 3 – Rescue Integration and Night Operations: access, contact, recovery, boat-and-shore systems, and low-light operations.
4. Day 4 – Mission Scenarios: full-mission problem solving, complex boat operations, and final performance verification.

PREREQUISITES:

• PRO-I or documented equivalent swiftwater or flood-rescue training
• Proficient swimmer and physically capable participant
• Meet SSI Essential Eligibility Criteria
• Mission-ready PPE, serviceable craft, registration, fuel, spares, and team equipment

No formal boat-operations experience is required. There is no online component and no written exam. Performance is verified through boat control, powered navigation, crew coordination, rescue application, equipment readiness, and operational decisions.

WATERCRAFT: Six to eight participating watercraft are approved. Propeller and jet drives are acceptable. Jon boats are not recommended. Craft must safely operate upstream and downstream under expected load. Every motorized craft must have red, green, and white navigation lights for night operations.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: A drysuit is required unless SSI provides a written course-specific exception. Participants also need secure closed-toe river footwear, rescue PFD, whitewater helmet, river knife, whistle, non-cotton insulation, river gloves, a minimum 55-foot waist throw bag, a three-meter flip line, waterproof personal lighting, and hearing and eye protection. Review the welcome packet for the complete boat and crew equipment list.

ARRIVAL: Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Day 1 at Moab Valley Fire Department, 45 South 100 East, Moab, UT 84532. Arrive early enough to park the towing vehicle and trailer without blocking apparatus bays or emergency access.

Students receive an electronic Verification of Training with no expiration date and retain their NFPA Position Task Book. This is not a standalone certification; AHJ requirements remain controlling.

PLANNING LINKS: Review the SSI Essential Eligibility Criteria and the Colorado River gauge before the course.