LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

LOS ANGELES PORT POLICE DEPARTMENT

MARITIME OFFICER’S TRAINING INSTITUTE

“Basic Maritime Officer’s Course”

80 hours

Day One

0800-0900     Registration & Introduction  (Classroom)

• Complete forms
  • Registration
  • Waivers
• Staff & student introductions
• Course overview
• Review of safety guidelines for the course

0900-1100     Basic Boating  (Lecture - Classroom)

• Nomenclature/Nautical Terminology
  • Nautical vs. commonly used terms
• Vessel Types
  • Power (inboard/outboard/jet)
  • Sail (Sloop, Ketch, Schooner)
  • Commercial Vessels
    • Passenger (Cruise Ships)
    • Container Ships
    • Tankers
    • Bulk Carriers
• Hull Types
  • Displacement
  • Planing
  • Mono, catamaran, trimaran
• Vessel documentation & recognition
  • Federal/state and local laws regarding vessel recognition and identification of vessels operating in the U.S.
  • Documentation and registration requirements
  • ID lights and shapes for all vessels.
  • ID sound and light signals.
• Safety and emergency equipment commonly carried on law enforcement vessels
  • Uniforms
  • Web gear
  • Weapons
  • Ballistic shields
  • Medical Equipment
  • Binoculars
  • Radiation pagers
  • Four gas meters
  • Personal Protective Equipment (hats, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)

1100-1200     Lunch

1200-1400     Vessel Inspection  (Practical - Docks)

• Pre-operational checks
  • Inspection Checklist
  • Maintenance
  • Necessary tools
  • Lights
• Fueling
  • Electrical system off
  • Engine compartment open
  • Inspect bilge for odor/fuel
• Post operational checks

1400-1700     Swim Assessment, PFD’s, and Environmental Risks (Practical - Pool)

• Swim test
  • 100 yards any style
  • 25 yards underwater
  • Treading water for 10 minutes (weighted)
  • Floating
  • Self rescue
• PFD’s
  • • Type I “Offshore Lifejacket”
    • Type II “Near Shore Buoyant Vest”
    • Type III “Flotation Aid”
    • Type IV “Throwable Device”
    • Type V “Special Use Device”
• Environmental protections/risks and hazards of exposure in a marine environment/environmental risk assessments and mission planning
  • Weather
  • Hypothermia
  • Sea life

Day Two

0800-0830     Review & Critique  (Docks & Classroom)

0830-0930     Environmental Stresses  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Current and Wind
  • Effects on maneuvering
  • Working into the current and/or wind
  • Vessel power and steering input
  • Effects on differing types of vessels
  • Mooring on the leeward side
  • It’s all about control, not speed!

0930-1200     Navigation Rules – Parts A & B  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Part A – General
  • Application
  • Responsibility
  • Definitions
• Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules
  • Conduct of vessels in all visibility conditions
  • Conduct of vessels in sight of one another
  • Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

1200-1300     Lunch

1300-1400     Weather Warning System  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Types of warnings
  • Small craft
  • Gale
  • Storm
  • Hurricane
• Criteria for each warning
• Sources for weather information
• Characteristics of weather systems

1400-1500     Hazardous Material Response  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Make your observations from a safe distance.
  • Be mindful of current and wind conditions
• Communicate the information to appropriate authorities.
  • Dispatch/communications center, fire department, port authorities, and USCG.
• Contain the problem if possible.
  • Request resources
  • Prevent additional people/vessels from entering the affected area.
  • Boom deployment
• Notify appropriate authority for clean up.
• Documentation
  • Required reports

1500-1700     Emergency Fire Fighting  (Lecture/Practical – Classroom/Dockside)

• Primary areas/causes aboard ships
  • Engine room (oil leaks, bearing overheating, etc.)
  • Galley (appliances, grease)
  • Spontaneous ignition (cargo, waste, etc.)
  • Hot work (welding, cutting, etc.)
  • Electrical apparatus (short circuit, non-professional repairs)
• Characteristics
  • Class A, B, C, and D fires
• Appropriate extinguishing agents
• Use of portable extinguishers
• Damage control
• Personal protective equipment
  • Turnout gear
  • SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
  • Natural vs. man-made clothing

Day Three

0830-1000     Review & Critique  (Classroom)

0830-1000     Marlinspike Semanship  (Practical – Docks)

• Difference in lines

• Care and maintenance of lines
• Knots
  • Bowline
  • Cleat Belay
  • Sheet Bend
  • Clove Hitch

1000-1200     Basic Seamanship  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Handling
  • Drive types
  • Throttle control
  • Anchoring during prevailing wind and sea conditions
  • Characteristics of good seamanship
• Towing vessels
  • Stern tow
  • Side tow
• Anchoring
  • Types of anchors
  • Scope
  • Techniques
• Damage control/emergency repairs
  • Vessel flooding
  • Electrical problems
  • Mechanical problems

1200-1300     Lunch

1300-1400     Electronics and E-Navigation  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • • Identify the three components
    • How does it work?
    • Plot a chart position from GPS information
    • What kinds of information can it provide?
    • Electronic Navigation Accuracy Verification
    • Setting up and storing routes
  • Radar and Chartplotting
    • How does a radar work?
    • What are the basic controls?
    • What are the positioning capabilities of a radar unit?
    • Operational functions of a radar
    • Operational functions of an integrated GPS/Chartplotter

1400-1700     Vessel Maneuvering & Electronics  (Practical – Docks)

• Low speed handling
  • Prop and steering (use together)
  • Twin screw vs. single
  • Backing
  • Docking, properly secure a vessel to a dock or pier
  • Jet drive handling characteristics
• GPS, Radar, and VHF
  • Basic functions
• Anchoring

Day Four

1200-1300     Docking Practice & Critique  (Docks & Classroom)

1300-1600     Navigation  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Charts
  • Latitude & longitude
  • Depth/datum
  • Symbols
  • Locating structures, objects, landmarks
  • Charting a course
• Aids to Navigation (ATON)
  • Identify the purpose of an aid to navigation
  • Identify the purpose of beacons, buoys, and the appliances used on aids to navigation
  • Lateral system of buoyage

1600-1700     Dinner

1700-2100     Night Operations  (Practical – Docks & Underway)

• Patrol Vessel
  • Size
  • Type
  • Lighting
• Vessel Identification & Maneuvering
  • Lights
  • Sounds
  • Signals
• Safety Underway
  • Night vision
  • Lookout responsibility
  • Speed
  • Hazards
  • ATON

• Use of  navigational equipment and electronics
  • Compass
  • Chart Plotter
  • Radar
  • Sonar
  • Radio Direction Finder (RDF)
  • Communications
• Personal equipment

Day Five

0800-0830     Review & Critique  (Classroom)

0830-1200     Trailering, Launch, & Recovery  (Practical – Launch Ramp)

• Trailer operation
  • Towing dynamics
  • Safety/failure
  • Tow vehicle ratings
  • Hitch types & ball sizes
• Trailer/vessel inspection
  • Pre-operations check
  • Inspection sheet
  • Maintenance
  • Fueling
• Maneuvering the trailer
• Launching the vessel
  • Bilge plug
  • Disconnects
  • Pre-start checklist
  • Check the water depth
  • Back down until vessel floats
  • Visual inspection of drive unit
  • Start vessel
  • Back off trailer and secure to dock
  • Rinse trailer, park, and secure tow vehicle
• Recovering the vessel
  • Back to proper depth
  • Slowly maneuver vessel onto trailer using bunks as guides
  • Secure bow to winch
  • Slowly pull trailer & vessel out of water
  • Remove bilge plug
  • Secure tie-downs
  • Check light operation

1. 1300. Lunch

1300-1500     Navigation Rules – Parts C & D  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Part C – Lights and Shapes
  • Application
  • Definitions
  • Power Driven Vessels
  • Towing & Pushing
  • Sailing Vessels
  • Vessels Constrained by Their Draft
  • Pilot Vessels
• Part D – Sound and Light Signals
  • Definitions
  • Equipment
  • Maneuvering & Warning Signals
  • Restricted Visibility Signals
  • Signals to Attract Attention
  • Distress Signals

1500-1700     Enforcement Stops  (Practical – Underway)

• Tactical considerations
  • Officer safety
  • Vessel approach
  • Crew responsibilities
  • Sea/weather conditions
  • Vessel/equipment limitations
• Boardings & Inspections
  • Officer safety
  • Crew isolation
• Arrest techniques
• Vessel pursuits

Day Six

0800-0930     Mid-Term & Critique

0930-1030     Patrol Missions  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Routine patrol
  • Agency specific roles
  • Port security
• Boater assistance
  • Vessel towing

• • Marine Assistance Radio Broadcast (MARB)
• Search and rescue
  • Search patterns
  • Communication
  • Capsizing
  • Helicopter evacuation
  • Victim rescue

• Body recoveries
• Special operations        

1030-1200     Patrol Missions  (Practical – Underway)

• Search and rescue
  • Search patterns
  • Communication
  • Use of navigational equipment

1200-1300     Lunch

1300-1700     Patrol Missions  (Practical – Underway)

• Vessel Towing
• Special Operations

• Search for surface and subsurface intruders
• Maneuver a vessel to engage a hostile vessel with deadly force
• Clearing fields of fire

• Safety & security zones

Day Seven

0800-0830     Review & Critique  (Classroom)

0830-1000     Boating Law  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Discuss the most frequently used codes from the:
  • H and N code
  • Vehicle code
  • Title 13 and 14
  • Penal Code
  • Fish and Game Code
  • LA County Code
  • Local ordinances
• Reasonable suspicion for vessel stops and searches

1000-1200     Piloting and Dead Reckoning  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Four types of navigation
• Three dimensions or problems of navigation
• Solving time, speed, and distance problems
• Compass error
• Navigation tools
• Fixing a geographic position and relative position on a chart
• Plot and label a Dead Reckoning course

1200-1300     Lunch

1300-1700     Navigation  (Practical – Underway)

• Students will be asked to demonstrate their proficiency with the following:
  • Chart a course using the chartplotter
  • Identify ATONS while en route
  • Identify an object/vessel on their radar
  • Utilize sonar to determine water depth

Day Eight

1200-1230     Review & Critique  (Classroom)

1230 -1600    Navigation & Righting a Vessel  (Practical  – Underway)

• Students will plot and navigate a course to Marina Del Rey
  • Charting a course using a paper chart
  • Charting a course using the on-board electronics
  • Maintaining a compass heading
• Students will participate in a vessel righting exercise
  • A small sailing vessel will be used

1600-1700     Lunch

1700-2100     Night Operations  (Practical – Underway)

• Review of safety practices underway (returning from Marina Del Rey)
  • Night vision
  • Lookout responsibility
  • Speed
  • Hazards
  • ATON
• Review of  navigational equipment and electronics
  • Compass
  • Chart Plotter
  • Radar
  • Sonar
  • Radio Direction Finder (RDF)
  • Communications
• Review of Vessel Identification & Maneuvering
  • Lights
  • Sounds
  • Signals

Day Nine

0800-0830     Review & Critique

0830-1030     Investigations  (Lecture – Classroom)

• Boating Under the Influence  (Lecture – Classroom)

• PAS Device

• Field Sobriety Test

• Applicable Codes

• Vessel Accident

• Reportable incidents

• Report forms

1030-1230     Chartplotting Practice  (Practical – Classroom & Dockside)

• Students will practice paper and electronic charting.

1230-1330     Lunch

1330-1700     Search & Rescue  (Practical – Underway)

• Search patterns
• Victim recoveries
• Man overboard approaches
• Body recoveries
• Self-Rescue, Throw Bags & Rings, Floating, Cold Water

Day Ten

0800-1200     Water Survival  (Practical – Pool)

• Resistive Victims & Combative Suspects
  • Students will be shown how to overcome the resistance of a combative suspect or resistive victim in a water environment.

1200-1300     Hosted Lunch

1300-1500     Final Exam Review

1500-1700     Final Exam & Critique