Boat Forces & Cutter Operations

Boat Forces & Cutter Operations (BFCO) provides boat crew training in an effective and realistic environment. To facilitate this, the Center maintains a fleet of twenty six (26) small boats. In addition to training, BFCO provides feedback from the fleet to the Office of Boat Forces that aids in the development of improved operational techniques and maintenance procedures, and evaluates prototype equipment and boat alterations before final approval for use in the field. In this capacity, the center continuously analyzes the training program and makes recommendations to the program and training managers for suggested changes. Boat Forces & Cutter Operations is responsible for:

Resident Training

All courses are taught in accordance with approved curriculum outlines and the Coast Guard's Boat Crew Training Program. Students must perform all tasks under the guidance of professional mentors and training is accomplished with a mix of classroom and underway evolutions. Every effort is made to immerse students in a realistic small boat training environment as we provide a variety of environmental conditions, and operating areas.

BM "A" School

The most versatile member of the Coast Guard's operational team is the Boatswain's Mate (BM). Boatswain's Mates are masters of seamanship and are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship's work force or small boat station. Training for Boatswain's Mate is accomplished through 14-weeks of intensive training at BM "A" School located at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, VA. Here students are exposed to all facets of the Boatswain's Mate rating, from tying knots to navigating.

Currently the center is transitioning from the 41-foot UTB to the 38-foot SPC-TB for Boatswain Mate "A" school.

RBS/TANB Introduction Course

The RBS/TANB-Into course currently uses nine (9) RB-S's and two (2) TANB's to meet the needs of training coxswains.

RBM Introduction Course

We are in the beginning stages of implementing the operator course for the 45-ft Response Boat Medium, this course will be hosted at BFCO Yorktown. More information will be forthcoming!

Standardization Team

The STAN Team visits Boat Forces units biennially to assess compliance with current policy, configuration control and standardization. This is accomplished by assessing the material condition of the assigned standard boats, unit's training program and the Rescue and Survival Systems program, as well as a full assessment of crew proficiency. The STAN Team, though not generally considered a training team, rarely misses an opportunity to pass along our Coast Guard corporate knowledge and ideas throughout the inspection process.

National Motor Lifeboat School

The National Motor Lifeboat School provides 47' MLB Coxswain training in an effective, realistic environment. To facilitate this, the schoolhouse maintains five 47' Motor Lifeboats to service wide standards. All resident training is taught in accordance with approved curriculum outlines, and the Coast Guard's Boat Crew Training Program. Students must perform all tasks under the guidance of professional mentors. Training is accomplished with a mix of classroom and underway evolutions. Every effort is made to immerse students in a realistic small boat training environment as we provide a variety of environmental conditions, and operating areas. The National Motor Lifeboat School provides the following courses:

  • 47' MLB Introduction Course
  • 47' MLB Heavy Weather Coxswain Course
  • RB-M Heavy Weather Coxswain Course
  • 47' MLB Surfman Course
  • 47' MLB Surfman Train the Trainer Course

Doctrine

BFCO's Doctrine Team provides the critical conduit between field tested best practices, policy development, and training implementation for the Boat Forces Community. Working closely with the Coast Guard's Office of Boat Forces Program Managers located at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington D.C, these guiding principles ensure all units conduct safe and effective boat operations.

Coast Guard Employee Access

It is recommended each Coast Guard employee visit TCYorktown's Portal site for additional training information. Coast Guard Employee Access.