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.

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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), Boat US Foundation, 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.

On-Water Training

BoatU.S. Foundation introductory On-Water Training program which is a fun and affordable way gain exposure to boating. Experience how much fun being out on the water can be and how you can begin to advance your boat handling skills.

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.

Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to venture out on the water safely and build the confidence that can ensure successful pleasure trips to places where the fishing, swimming, or beach parties with friends are happening.

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!

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Commercial Captain’s License Courses

Launch Operator

Launch Operator

Assistance Towing

Assistance Towing

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Captain's License and Recreational Boating Training Course Highlights

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US Powerboating – Start Powerboating Right!

This 16-hour 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!

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BoatU.S. – On the Water Training

BoatUS Foundation and In-Command have partnered to offer an introductory On-Water Training program which is a fun and affordable way gain exposure to boating. The three hour modules for beginners help you experience how much fun being out on the water can be and how you can begin to advance your boat handling skills.

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Boat Rhode Island – State Boating License & Safety Programs

In-Command RI DEM – Boater Safety – This one (1) day beginner boating class, which is classroom only (8 hours), will prepare you to take the Rhode Island Boating Exam.
Rhode Island Boating License – Online Option – You can study online using the state-approved online course found at www.boat-ed.com.
Proctored Exam – Administered at In-Command Seamanship Training.

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USCG Approved Captain’s License Courses

In Command Seamanship Training is pleased to offer Professional Maritime Licensing at our Wickford RI Training facility.

Master Upgrade – U.S. Coast Guard (Domestic)
6 Pack / Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) – U.S. Coast Guard (Domestic)
Launch Operator – U.S. Coast Guard (Domestic)
Assistance Towing – U.S. Coast Guard (Domestic)

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