Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Small Boat Rescue Techniques Course
This course provides you with the essential skills to act safely and effectively in emergency situations. Learn to master water rescue techniques, first aid specific to the maritime environment, and the correct use of lifesaving…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Small Boat Rescue Techniques Course?
The Small Vessel Rescue Techniques Course
This course provides you with the essential skills to act safely and effectively in emergency situations. Learn to master water rescue techniques, first aid specific to the maritime environment, and the correct use of lifesaving equipment. This practical course will prepare you to respond to any eventuality, protecting lives and minimizing risks.
Small Vessel Rescue Techniques
Key Benefits
- Rescue Techniques: Master towing, refloating, and extracting people from the water.
- First Aid: Learn to treat hypothermia, drowning, and other common injuries at sea.
- Safety Equipment: Become familiar with life jackets, rafts, flares, and communication systems.
- Emergency Planning: Develop strategies to prevent accidents and coordinate effective responses.
- Realistic Drills: Participate in hands-on exercises to test your skills in simulated scenarios.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
09-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Mastery of Techniques: Learn effective rescue techniques in emergency situations using boats and launches.
- Water Safety: Prevention and response protocols to minimize risks and maximize survival.
- Essential Equipment: Knowledge and use of life jackets, rafts, and other essential devices.
- Aquatic First Aid: Stabilization and initial care for drowning and hypothermia victims.
- Safe Navigation: Optimize your skills for responsible and conscious navigation in maritime and riverine environments.
- Prepare to face critical situations and become a key element in nautical safety.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of salvage, self-protection and safety in small boats
- Salvage concept in small boats and differences between prevention, assistance, rescue, emergency and evacuation
- Types of boats: boats, light sailboats, semi-rigids, auxiliaries, recreational boats and support units
- Frequent Hazards: Falling to Water, Overturning, Dry-Docking, Fire, Waterway, Engine Failure, Bad Weather and Injuries on Board
- Principles of self-protection: do not become a second victim, evaluate the scene, maintain buoyancy and ask for help
- Skipper roles, crew, passengers, passengers and external services during a rescue situation
02
Rescue equipment, prior preparation and emergency communication
- Lifejackets, hoops, capes, buoys, rafts, visual signals, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, bilge pumping and floating media
- Status review, expiration, accessibility, location, labelling and actual equipment availability before sailing
- Use of VHF, telephone, sound signals, lights, flares, location and communication applications with rescue services
- Preparation of emergency messages with position, nature of the incident, people on board and help required
- Briefing to crew and passengers on standards, vests, mobility, safe points and basic emergency action
03
Manoeuvre over the water, recovery of people and assistance to shipwrecked
- Detection, warning, signalling, visual surveillance and assignment of roles before a person to the water
- Safe approach manoeuvres according to wind, current, waves, type of boat and condition of the person
- Use of lifebuoys, cape, pole, ladder, platform, buoy, vest and floating support elements
- Recovery of conscious, tyred, injured, hypothermic or with difficulty collabourating
- Injury prevention during recovery, Propeller control, boat stability and rescuer protection
04
Response to tipping, dry-docking, waterway, fire and engine failure
- Overturning action: staying calm, staying next to the boat, counting people and requesting help
- Management of dry-docking, stranding or hitting with bass through damage assessment, water control and external communication
- Control of waterway with Bilge Pumping, temporary plugging, reduction of water inlet and evacuation preparation
- Initial response to fire with fuel cut, electricity, ventilation, fire extinguishers and protection of people
- Engine failure, loss of governance, drift, emergency anchoring, trailer and coordination with maritime assistance
05
Applied project of rescue techniques in small boats
- Case definition: boat, small sailboat, semi-rigid, auxiliary, recreational boat, nautical school or family outing
- Risk diagnosis according to boat, area, crew, passengers, meteorology, equipment and routes
- Design of the salvage plan with roles, equipment, communication, man overboard, overturn, fire, waterway and engine failure
- Preparation of checklists, briefings, emergency messages, evacuation protocols and coordination with external help
- Proposal for drills, maintenance of equipment, first aid, registration of incidents and continuous improvement
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Recreational and sports boat skippers who wish to acquire crucial skills to respond to emergencies at sea.Crew members of small vessels seeking formal training in rescue techniques and first aid in maritime environments.Nautical activity monitors and instructors who need to update their knowledge and safety protocols to ensure the safety of their students.Maritime emergency and rescue servic
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Carry out rescue and assistance operations for people in danger in small boats
- 02Assess risks and apply safety procedures in maritime emergency situations
- 03Use emergency communication and signaling equipment effectively
- 04Implement fire and water ingress response protocols for small vessels
- 05Stabilize and safely tow disabled vessels
- 06Master first aid and basic life support techniques in the maritime environment
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Lifeguard at beaches and pools: surveillance, prevention, and rescue in aquatic environments.
02Recreational Craft Skipper: management of onboard safety and operation of recreational craft.
03Sea Rescue Vessel Crew Member: participation in rescue and assistance operations at sea.
04Lifesaving Techniques Instructor: training of new professionals in aquatic rescue techniques.
05Search and Rescue Coordination Center Operator: management of maritime emergencies and coordination of resources.
06Security Personnel at Nautical Events: surveillance and prevention of incidents at competitions and aquatic events.
07Volunteer in Maritime Rescue Organizations: collaboration in rescue and humanitarian aid operations.
08Occupational Risk Prevention Technician in the Maritime Sector: Risk assessment and control in aquatic activities and vessels.
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Questions
Entry Requirements
Life jackets (sufficient quantity and in good condition).
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Shout "Man overboard!" to alert the crew.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile:Port Master Title, Basic Navigation Master or equivalent; or demonstrable experience in handling small boats and rescue operations.Physical Competence:Medical certification of physical fitness for aquatic and rescue activities (swimming, basic freediving).Prior Knowledge:First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) course recommended.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of nautical qualification or proof of experience, ID/Passport, medical certificate.Personal Equipment (mandatory):Wetsuit (optional depending on the time of year), life jacket Approved
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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