Great Lakes Maritime Academy faculty member Sarah Hirsch recently traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, for specialized Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats training with RCM Maritime. Accompanied by our mascot, Swoop, Sarah traded the Great Lakes for the Cooper River to master SOLAS-certified rescue maneuvers and recovery procedures. This hands-on experience wasn’t just about technical skills; it provided fresh pedagogical insights that Sarah is excited to bring back to her GLMA cadets. Check out her reflections on the training and her experience below.

Sarah & Swoop practice safety in South Carolina.

What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?

Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats — Training

When and where did the event take place?

Charleston, South Carolina

Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event.

I sought out this training in particular because I’d heard the instructor brought current, relevant industry experience to the training, and that definitely held true. The training culminated in launching a SOLAS fast rescue boat into the Cooper River, along with recovery of a “person” in the water, docking, hoisting, and stowing procedures.

How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague? 

Very Likely

Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future? 

I took time to speak with the trainer about what works well for him when teaching highly structured, regulation-based material and how he works to make each time he runs a training a better iteration than before. That conversation really stuck with me and I will have it in the back of my mind for upcoming semesters.

Is there anything else you’d like CIE or your colleagues at NMC to know about this experience? 

Even though I have extensive small boat experience, I’ve never worked on a vessel with a true SOLAS (international regulations for Safety of Life At Sea) fast rescue boat, so I never needed to take the training when I was working in the industry. However, many GLMA cadets will go on to work where they need this certification. I knew that taking this class would make me a stronger instructor at GLMA and give me a broader perspective.