THE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL IN COLLABORATION WITH THE QUALIFIED CAPTAIN AND AT THE HELM TRAINING LAUNCHES NATIONAL ON-WATER TRAINING NETWORK

New initiative combines The Qualified Captain's nationwide boating audience, At The Helm Training's professional instructor network, and the National Safe Boating Council-verified curriculum to help recreational boaters become safer and more confident.

WILMINGTON, N.C., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Qualified Captain, one of the nation's most influential recreational boating media and education platforms, today announced the launch of The Qualified Captain On-Water Training Network, a new initiative developed in collaboration with At The Helm Training and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC).

The initiative represents a significant step forward in making professional, hands-on boating instruction more accessible to recreational boaters across the United States.

The collaboration brings together three complementary strengths: The Qualified Captain's extensive boating audience and educational reach, At The Helm Training's network of professional on-water instructors, and the National Safe Boating Council's nationally recognized, verified on-water powerboat curriculum.

Together, the organizations aim to address one of recreational boating's most important challenges: bridging the gap between knowing the rules of boating and developing the practical skills necessary to operate a vessel safely and confidently.

Turning Boating Education Into Real-World Experience

While online boating safety courses provide essential knowledge of navigation rules, safety equipment, and responsible operation, developing practical boat-handling skills requires experience at the helm.

The Qualified Captain On-Water Training Network is designed to provide that experience through structured, professional instruction delivered in real-world boating environments.

"There's an enormous difference between understanding boating safety and having the confidence and ability to safely operate a boat," said Chris Juall, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for The Qualified Captain and a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain. "We've built a tremendous platform for reaching and educating recreational boaters, but education shouldn't stop with an online course. This collaboration allows us to connect boaters directly with professional instructors who can teach them the practical skills that make a difference every time they leave the dock."

Juall added, "Our goal is simple: better-trained boaters, fewer preventable boating incidents, and more people enjoying the water with confidence. By combining our reach with At The Helm's training capabilities and the NSBC's verified curriculum, we believe we can make a meaningful impact on recreational boating safety nationwide."

Essential Techniques. Real-World Skills.

The program features the NSBC Verified On-Water Powerboat Course, with instruction delivered by qualified boating professionals, including NSBC-certified instructors. The course includes the following modules: Introduction to Powerboating, Precision Docking and Boat Handling, Open Water Boat Handling, and Open Water Advanced Maneuvers.

Training emphasizes hands-on learning and practical skills that boaters can immediately apply to their own vessels and boating activities.

A Collaboration Built Around Boating Safety

At The Helm Training brings professional instruction, operational experience, and an established training network to the initiative, helping connect recreational boaters with qualified instructors and structured on-water education.

The National Safe Boating Council contributes its established on-water training standards and verified curriculum, providing a nationally recognized educational foundation for the program.

"Boating safety education provides the foundation, but hands-on training is where knowledge becomes skill," said Captain Peg Phillips, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "Our nationally verified on-water training curriculum gives boaters the opportunity to develop practical boat-handling skills, build confidence, and become more competent operators. By collaborating with The Qualified Captain and At The Helm Training, we can expand access to quality instruction and reach more boaters with training that can make a meaningful difference in their safety on the water."

Leveraging One of Boating's Most Influential Platforms

With more than 1.6 million social media followers and an estimated annual reach exceeding 200 million, The Qualified Captain has become a major voice in recreational boating culture, education, and safety awareness.

Known for sharing real-world boating experiences, mishaps, and educational content, the platform has increasingly expanded its mission beyond entertainment to promote responsible boating through education, partnerships, and professional training.

The launch of the On-Water Training Network builds upon The Qualified Captain's NASBLA-approved online boating safety education program, creating an opportunity for boaters to progress from classroom-style learning to practical instruction on the water.

"One of our greatest strengths is the ability to reach boaters where they already are; on social media, watching boating videos, and engaging with content they find interesting," Juall said. "Now we can turn that engagement into action by connecting those boaters with professional, hands-on training. That's where we believe we can make a lasting difference."

Confidence Starts at the Helm

The Qualified Captain On-Water Training Network is designed for recreational boaters of all experience levels, including first-time boat owners, new operators, families, and experienced boaters who want to sharpen their docking and boat-handling skills.

Through professional instruction and a nationally verified curriculum, the program seeks to make boating safer, more enjoyable, and less intimidating.

Boaters interested in learning more about available courses, training locations, and booking opportunities can visit:

https://thequalifiedcaptain.com/pages/on-water-boat-handling-training

About The Qualified Captain

The Qualified Captain is a leading recreational boating media, education, and safety platform reaching millions of boating enthusiasts throughout the United States. Through its extensive social media presence, real-world boating content, NASBLA-approved online boating safety courses, and growing network of industry partnerships, The Qualified Captain is dedicated to promoting safer boating practices, improving operator knowledge, and building a more responsible boating culture.

About At The Helm Training

At The Helm Training provides professional, hands-on boating instruction designed to help recreational boaters develop the practical skills and confidence necessary to safely operate their vessels. Through experienced instructors and structured training programs, At The Helm helps boaters improve their vessel-handling abilities in real-world environments.

About the National Safe Boating Council

The National Safe Boating Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach, training, and national boating safety initiatives. The organization develops and supports nationally recognized boating education and training programs, including its verified on-water powerboat curriculum.

SOURCE National Safe Boating Council