Get Your Captain’s License

Coast Guard Approved Captains Licensing Courses and Exams. On-site & Virtual

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Rhode Island Boating Licenses

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Recreational Boating lessons for the entire family.

New Owner Training * On-the Water Training
State Licenses * Private Lessons

Be Safe, Be Sure... Be IN-COMMAND.

Rhumb Line Outfitters

Rhumb Line Outfitters

Rhode Island’s newest premiere apparel and accessories company.

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In-Command Seamanship Training (ICST) is a leading provider of skill development and certification training for Recreational and Commercial Captain Licensing Courses throughout New England since 2017.

The ICST is the only organization affiliated with a premium boat rental operation, Wickford Boat Rentals, to take you seamlessly from the classroom to the helming of a vessel on the water with confidence and ease. ICST are a certified training and testing center for US Powerboating (USPB), National safe Boating Council (NSBC), the Rhode Island DEM and the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP). ICST provides Private lessons on one of our vessels or yours. New this year we are also available to assistance with deliveries and repositioning of an owner’ s boat.

In addition, ICST has partnered with Northeast Maritime Institute in Fairhaven, MA to conduct Commercial Captain Licensing Courses at our location in Wickford RI. We now offer 6-Pack-OUPV, Launch Operator License, Master Upgrade, and Towing endorsement courses.

Recreational Boating and Commercial Captain Licensing Courses

Recreational Boating Courses

Start Powerboating Right!

Start Powerboating Right!

This combined classroom and practical on-the-water course is for anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a small motorboat and improve their boat handling skills. No previous experience is required!

RI DEM - Boater Safety

RI DEM - Boater Safety

This beginner boating class will prepare you to take the Rhode Island Boating Exam, which we will administer at the end of the class.

Certified On-Water Training

National Safe Boating Council, NSBC and In-Command have partnered to offer certified On-Water Training program which is a fun and affordable way gain hands-on boating experience. The three-hour modules for all skill levels will help to advance your boat handling skills. Take all four modules or pick the ones that suit your needs. Sign up Now!!

Women In-Command

Women In-Command

Bringing together like-minded women to build confidence and practice new skills through a combination of classroom and on-the-water training. Gain knowledge and experience to help you become an active, integral crew member.

Conquer Your Fear of Docking Join In-Command Seamanship Training (ICST) for a focused boat docking course designed to enhance your skills and confidence in docking any vessel. Whether you're a novice boater or looking to refine your techniques, Dock-Pro is tailored to meet your needs.

New Owner Training

New Owner Training

For new boat buyers as well as owners who are stepping up to a larger vessel. Frequently, insurance companies require a formal training program with a Captain and a NASBLA-approved course in order to secure insurance. ICST will build the program you need so you will enjoy many years aboard your new boat!

Powerboat Cruising

Powerboat Cruising

Basic Powerboat Cruising, Inland Cruising & Night Operations Endorsement This 5-day Cruising Course (M-F days, No Overnights) includes - Basic Powerboating Cruising, Inshore Powerboat Cruising and Night Operations Endorsement, and combines classroom and on-the-water skill testing which will be conducted on a Sabre 36 Express, which meets and exceeds the minimum length of boat required for certification.

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Commercial Captain’s License Courses

Launch Operator

Launch Operator

Assistance Towing

Assistance Towing

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Be Safe, Be Sure... Be IN-COMMAND!

What our students say about us.

Kari F.

Topsfield, MA

“Thank you so much! The class gave me the confidence I need to take the wheel!”

Fred C.

“I recently contacted In-Command Seamanship in Rhode Island. …recommendation was to do a one on one, two-hour lesson with Captain Howie… Suffice to say, I was extremely pleased with the lesson.

Captain Howie is very experienced and was calm and patient throughout the time we spent together. The lesson was very hands on… would run through many different aspects of boating and docking. He would then have me take control of the boat and I would repeat the task … until we both were satisfied that I could perform the task correctly.

Needleless to say, I highly recommend using In-Command Seamanship. It was a great experience, and I felt more confident in my boating skills upon completion of the lesson.”

Patrick L.

Before buying our own boat (inspired by our experiences with Wickford Boat Rentals), we rented for several years from this well-run organization. The boats are always incredibly clean (like new) and in top-notch condition. The location is perfect (Wickford is a hidden gem) and the staff is friendly and eager to help. We also took a couple of hours of private boat-handling lessons and found the experience to be well worth the cost. Without hesitation, I strongly recommend Wickford Boat Rentals and In-Command training. It’s a great place to either start, or continue, your on-water fun.

Nicholas D.

Cranston, RI

I took the 6 pack course with Steve Medeiros and Dave Fetherston. The course material was hard and it was not an easy class by any means, but it was so worth it. I came out of every class with my head hurting from how much i learned. The final exams are very tough but Steve and Dave prepare you for it. Money well spent.

Eric L.

Colorado Springs, CO

A huge thank you to Howie and the In-Command team! Howie provided an easy and safe re-introduction to boating and truly instilled confidence for me on this bigger boat. Beyond that, he was simply a pleasure to learn from and spend time with. The flexibility of the team to make this happen is also truly appreciated. You guys worked with me on the scheduling from the beginning and flexed easily when it was needed. Howie also worked a major miracle for me as my shipmate ferrying over to Newport and getting me settled in there4