Windward Community College

Hawaii Ocean Education

Ocean Safety and Education

OCEAN SAFETY PROGRAMS
(808) 235-7433
wccocet@hawaii.edu

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Hawaii Ocean Education

Our mission is to provide education and training in ocean recreation and safety activities that will benefit the visitor industries as well as the ocean recreation communities in Hawai‘i and abroad. This program offers state licensing for recreational thrill craft operation (FIT8110 Recreational Thrill Craft Operator) and tow-in surfing (FIT8100 Ocean Safety Education). Students completing each course gain a basic understanding of the history, principles and best practices locally and nationally, and traditional Hawaiian cultural context of the activity as well. To be eligible for a tow-in surfing license you must successfully complete the recreational thrill craft course. Prepare for your ocean adventure with Windward Community College.
State of Hawaii Mandated Courses • NASBLA Training
Boating Safety Education
Rec Thrill Craft
Tow In
Sail boat on water

Boating Safety Education

The NASBLA  and Hawaii DLNR approved Boating Safety Course must be completed prior to enrolling in the Recreational Thrill Craft course.

COMPLIANT INTERNET COURSES AVAILABLE:
ACEBOATER.com 
Boat-ed.com 
BOATERexam.com
BoatUS.org (free)
BoatTest101.com
Windward CC no longer offers the Safe Boating in Hawaiian Waters course.
If you have taken this course from WCC and need a replacement card click on the button below.
Order safe boater replacement card
DLNR and NASBLA logos
man on jet ski

Recreational Thrill Craft Operator Safety Education (online, real-time)

Learn about local ocean safety principles and practices--including historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users, and rules regarding protected species and thrill craft operation in Hawaii. Effective January 2005 all recreational thrill craft (personal watercraft) operators in Hawaii must complete this certification class on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft before operating in Hawaiian waters.

Class Prerequisite

Please provide the following items prior to registering for this class:
  • Present  your NASBLA  and Hawaii DLNR approved Boating Safety Education Card.
    OR
  • Verify your existing USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials or request for Reciprocity (non-Hawaii certification) with DLNR Division of Boater and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). Upon approval by DOBOR the Boating Safety Education credential may be waived.
    Click on the link below to upload your credentials for review.
    CERTIFIED BOATER REGISTRY 
    For questions regarding document verification:  call:  (808) 587-1966 or email: Dlnr.bd.boatingsafety@hawaii.gov

More information about boater safety education in Hawaii.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/rbs-faq/
How to Complete the Hawaii Boating Safety Education Course

Select a Compliant Internet Course:
ACEBOATER.com 
Boat-ed.com 
BOATERexam.com 
BoatUS.org (free)
BoatTest101.com
Class meets in real-time via Zoom video conferencing.
Participants must successfully complete the online exam in order to receive certification.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY:
• Active email address per participant (no sharing)
• Computer, Tablet (iPad, Galaxy, etc.) or Smartphone
• Access to high speed internet (min. 512k)
• Device with camera, microphone & speaker
• Most recent updated browsers

Date:  Offered monthly (click on REGISTER NOW button for current dates)
Time: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm HST
Location: online

Fee: $135

Email your documents to: wccocet@hawaii.edu
For class registration assistance call: (808) 235-7367  
Register now for rec thrill craft
waitlist sign up
Rec Thrill Craft - Order Replacement card
DLNR and NASBLA logos
man on jet ski

Ocean Safety Educational Course (Tow-In)  in-person

Courses offered on 'Oahu , Kaua'i, Maui and Hawai'i Island

Learn about the legal and regulatory requirements for persons who participate in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawaii; risk management principles; local ocean safety principles and practices; rules and laws pertaining to protected species in ocean waters in Hawaii; the safe use and operation of a thrill craft; boating skills as they apply to the sport of tow-in surfing; and the historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii’s ocean users. Effective September 2003 all recreational thrill craft (personal watercraft) operators participating in the sport of tow-in surfing in Hawaii must complete this approved ocean safety education course.

Class Prerequisites

Please provide the following items prior to registering for this class:
  1. Present  your NASBLA  and Hawaii DLNR approved Boating Safety Education Card.
    OR
    Verify your existing USCG Merchant Mariner Credentials or request for Reciprocity (non-Hawaii certification) with DLNR Division of Boater and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). Upon approval by DOBOR the Boating Safety Education credential may be waived.
    Click on the link below to upload your credentials for review.
    CERTIFIED BOATER REGISTRY
    For document verification:  call:  (808) 587-1966 or email: Dlnr.bd.boatingsafety@hawaii.gov
  2. Present your NASBLA and Hawaii DLNR approved Recreational Thrill Craft (PWC) Card.

More information about boater safety education in Hawaii.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/rbs-faq/
'OAHU
Time:  9:30 am – 5:30pm
Location: Windward CC, Hale Kuhina 115
Fee: $135

KAUA'I
Location: Kauai Community College
Fee: $135

MAUI
Location: UH Maui College
Fee: $135

HAWAI'I
Location: Hawaii Community College
Fee: $135
Click on the REGISTER NOW FOR TOW-IN button to view all available dates.
Email your documents to: wccocet@hawaii.edu
For class registration assistance: call: (808) 235-7367
Register now for Tow-in
waitlist sign up
order replacement card for tow-In
DLNR and NASBLA logos