SAFETY - Watercraft Operators Training and Certification

In Reply Refer To:
Branch of Operational Support
Mail Stop 405
Sunset Date:  May 2005

        May 9. 2000

WATER RESOURCES DIVISION POLICY MEMORANDUM NO. 2000.09

Subject:  Watercraft Operators Training and Certification

All operators of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) watercraft are required by 
the USGS Survey Manual 445-2-H, Chapter 16 to be adequately trained, 
tested, and certified prior to operating watercraft.  Each operator must 
possess a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card 
(OF-346), or an equivalent verification card showing current certification 
to operate USGS watercraft.

Operators of all Class A and Class 1 watercraft must successfully complete 
the Department of the Interior (DOI) Motorboat Operator Certification 
Course (MOCC).  Motorboat operator certification is valid for a period of 
5 years.  After 5 years, recertification is required.  As identified in 
the attached memorandum (dated April 13, 2000) from James C. Leupold, 
Chief, Office of Program Support, DOI has issued MOCC recertification 
policy.  This policy can be accessed at URL:


http://www.usgs.gov:8888/ops/safetynet/boat1.doc

Questions regarding recertification of motorboat operators should be 
directed to Bill Miller (703-648-7552) or Tom Edwards (503-251-3227).


                                                        /signed/
 
                                    Catherine L. Hill
                                    Associate Chief Hydrologist
                                    for Program Operations

This memorandum does not supersede any previous WRD Numbered Memorandum.

Attachment

Email Distribution:  GS-W A 
                     GS-W B 
                     GS-W FO 
                     GS-W PO
                     GS-W DC
                     GS-WRD Archive

Email cc:  GS-W All







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Catherine L. Hill
Associate Chief Hydrologist 
for Program Operations       clhill@usgs.gov
441 National Center          703-648-5031 
(Phone)
U.S. Geological Survey      703-648-5295 (Fax)
Reston, Va    20192 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~