Date/Time
Date(s): 05/16/2026 - 05/17/2026

Instructor(s)
Rescue Three

Contact Email: linna.selbrede@texsar.org

TEXSAR is hosting an RBO Certification/Motorized Boat Operations class instructed by Wimberley Rescue/Rescue3. The Flood Boat Operator course is designed to prepare the boat operator and crew for the response to wide area and urban flood events. The instructors will put the student through real world scenarios designed to teach the operator and their crew how to operate safely and efficiently in flood and bay environments. The course is broken into day and night training events to represent the real-world evacuation needs. Each course begins at noon with a short land-based training then core operator in water skills. That evening we will begin to train in low light and dark conditions. The following morning, we will start again with in-water training focused on evacuation plans and rescue operations. Each operator and crew member must have completed Swiftwater Rescue (SRT) or Rescue Swimmer prior to the course. It will be a 2-day, 16-hour course covering operations, safety, boat construction and orientation, maintenance and care, start-up procedures, boat crew assignments, equipment, command and control driving skills, rescue and recovery concepts including alongside, throw lines, drag lines, deployed swimmer and advanced tethered swimmer. Boat handling skills to bring the boat and crew within safe approach under stressful situations in static or slow-moving floodwaters. You must attend all segments to get a complete certification.

If the waterflow is available, there may be opportunities to experience Swiftwater boat operations as well.

This certification is required of all TEXSAR personnel to do any operations in a boat. SRT is a prerequisite for RBO. This class will be covered by TEXSAR

Location:

• Goodrich, TX-Schedule and location will be emailed at a later date.

Accommodations:

• Accommodations are not provided; hotels and short-term rentals are available in the surrounding areas. 

Cost:

• The registration fee for this class is being covered by TEXSAR.
• Recertifications will be given priority.  You will receive an email after the close of the class with details if you are approved.

Prerequisite:

• Swiftwater Rescue (SRT) REQUIRED

Required PPE:

• USCG Approved PFD Type III or Type V (Preferred Type V Rescue with Tethered Swimmer belt)
• Water Helmet
• Hard sole wetsuit boots or tennis shoes. NO open toes, open heels, open sides, open middle or sandals of any sort. Feet must be completely covered. The only opening should be the one where your foot enters the shoe.
• Wetsuit/Drysuit/Swimsuit appropriate for professional training in public

Suggested Items:

• Sunscreen
• Water in plastic bottles

DO NOT BRING:

• Glass or Styrofoam near the water.

Class Rules:

• No physical horseplay
• No throwing items (this includes rocks, sticks or other objects during class time)
• No smoking while wearing or within 10 ft of any of the PPE. This includes other personnel’s gear.
• No smokeless tobacco/dipping use during skills training or while in the water.
• Cell phones are to be silenced during class. Answering phones is discouraged.
• Successful completion of this course requires promptness.

All gear is available for purchase at Rescue Gear at a reduced price. The gear list is in the Volunteer Handbook and Policy Manual, page 70. 

Registration through close of business 5/5/26

Registration