All boat users operating under the auspices of UCSC for scientific research/education must have a state issued boater card for their area of operations, be MOTC trained, and current in CPR and First Aid prior to using any vessel for their research. Operators using a UCSC owned vessel must be checked out on the vessel they plan to operate. 

We typically run two MOTC's each year, one during the Spring Quarter and the other during the Summer. We usually allow only 6 students in each course due to training ratios and logistical constraints. Priority is given to those that need boat operations as part of their work or research, with endorsement from active research faculty. Our course meets the Department of Interior standards for the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC), which will allow you to operate Federally owned vessels. If you are interested in taking the course, please reach out to the BSO at boatingsafety@ucsc.edu.