Boat Handling: Oil Spill Containment and Recovery

Industry regulators require that all petroleum companies be properly equipped and trained for emergencies, such as oil spills. This three-day “on-the-water” course meets that requirement, as it will prepare students to safely operate WCSS watercraft to contain and recover oil spills in medium to large rivers or lake environments. Completion of this training will enable competency in emergency and training exercise settings.

DATES:
See you next year!

Location: Devon Boat Launch* (MAP)
*Please observe the parking restrictions for vehicles that are not towing vessels

Course Fee: $3000

See you next year!

Location: Fort McMurray – Tom Weber Boat Launch (Wed) and Barge Landing (Thurs and Fri)

Course Fee: $3500

 

Individuals that will benefit from this training:

  • Oil spill response contractors
  • WCSS member company in-house initial response personnel

Instructors with a minimum of 20 years’ experience operating jet boats in spill environments and an adult education background will work in a 1:3 ratio with students to provide optimal direction.

Skills to be enhanced and developed:

  • WCSS boat safety, operation, and maintenance

  • Awareness and effective communication

  • Teamwork

  • River reading

  • Slow and fast maneuvering

  • Spill response equipment deployment

  • Safe launching and loading

A practical skills evaluation will be carried out by WCSS instructors at the end of the three days.

Prerequisite​:
  • If students wish to operate WCSS boats, they must also take the 2-day Small Commercial Vessel Operator (SCVO) course, also offered by WCSS. The SCVO course precedes the 3-day Boat Handling course and takes place in Nisku, AB.
What to Bring:
  • Standard company Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with the exception of hard hats
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Snacks*

*Lunch will be provided on Wednesday and Thursday.  Course will typically run from 730am – 2pm on Friday and snacks will be available throughout the day but there will not be a designated time set for a lunch hour.  If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate this at the time of registration.  Water will be available throughout the duration of the course.

Boat Handling: Recertification

To ensure that the WCSS boat operators remain confident and capable, WCSS offers a one-day Boat Handling – Recertification course, which is valid for three years. Certified boat operators are encouraged to maintain their skills at annual Co-op exercises where possible, over and above recertifying every 3 years.

To pass, all students will be assessed on their practical abilities related to the safe operation and proper handling of WCSS watercraft and to deploy oil spill equipment to contain and recover oil spills on rivers or lakes. This field-based course is open to all personnel who have previously certified on the 3-day course who may be involved in operating watercraft at oil spills on water bodies.

DATES:

See you next year!

Location: Devon Boat Launch* (MAP)
*Please observe the parking restrictions for vehicles that are not towing vessels

Course Fee: $1500

See you next year!

Location: Fort McMurray – Tom Weber Boat Launch

Course Fee: $1550

Pre-requisites:

  • Small Commercial Vessel Operator (SCVO) course
  • 3-day Boat Handling: Oil Spill Containment and Recovery
What to Bring:
  • Standard company Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with the exception of hard hats
  • Sunscreen / foul weather clothing
  • Insect repellent
  • Snacks*

Did you know that WCSS has a Boat Handling Recertification Equivalency Program? It is designed to allow companies to keep their boat operators in one place and practice with their own equipment, and offers a significantly lower cost structure than going through the open registration program.

For course information, contact Shannon Jarrell:

shannon.jarrell@wcss.ab.ca