The Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) course is a high-intensity, specialized training program designed for seafarers who are designated to operate high-speed rescue craft in demanding maritime environments. Unlike standard lifeboats, Fast Rescue Boats are built for extreme maneuverability and speed, often used for recovering persons from the water, Marshalling life rafts, and conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations in heavy weather. Regulated by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and compliant with STCW Table A-VI/2-2, this course is essential for crew members on offshore vessels, seismic ships, and large passenger vessels where rapid response is a matter of life and death.
The curriculum is heavily weighted toward practical, hands-on training. Trainees learn the technical nuances of jet-propulsion and outboard engines, as well as the specialized launching and recovery systems—such as single-arm davits and "A" frames—that allow FRBs to be deployed while the parent vessel is still making way. A significant portion of the training involves high-speed maneuvering, search patterns, and the safe approach to a person in the water (PIW) without causing further injury. Students also practice the righting of a capsized FRB and the management of medical emergencies within the confined space of a rescue craft.
Successfully attaining the FRB certification marks a seafarer as a specialized rescue operative. It is a prestigious qualification that demonstrates superior boat-handling skills and the mental fortitude required to lead a rescue team in high-stress scenarios. In the offshore oil and gas sector, FRB-certified coxswains are in high demand and are critical to the vessel’s safety management system. This course ensures that when a "Man Overboard" or emergency arises, the response is swift, professional, and successful.
