Boat types
Pontoons, bowriders/runabouts, and surf/wake boats.
WHAT-IF DRILLS
Emergency Procedures – practical drills for the unexpected.
Practice clear, repeatable responses to the most common on-water problems so you’re not improvising when it matters.
WHO IT'S FOR
Is this the right course for you?
Best taken after Safety Basics or combined into a longer safety-focused session.
Experience level
New captains, new-to-Okoboji boaters, or spouses/partners who want to share helm duties.
Where we train
Primarily on West Lake Okoboji, with other Iowa Great Lakes by request.
WHAT YOU'LL PRACTICE
Key skills in this module.
- Man-overboard drills at safe, controlled speeds.
- Engine failure scenarios and safe drift/anchor decisions.
- Sudden weather changes and where/how to seek shelter.
- Basic communication steps if you need outside help.
EXAMPLE SESSION
How a typical session might flow.
- Dockside briefing on what drills we’ll run and how we’ll run them safely.
- Slow-speed man-overboard patterns using a throwable as the “person.”
- Engine-failure decision-making scenarios with your boat and usual areas.
- Wrap-up and debrief with a simple reference card you can keep onboard.
ILLUSTRATION
Visual reference for this course.
