How Does it Work?
The Process for Hiring a Private Boating Instructor or Captain.
Providing Grade-A Quality instruction isn’t as easy as 1, 2, 3. There are a few things that you should know about the process required when hiring a private instructor or a captain for your first Nautical Solutions service. The steps are outlined below but feel free to ask questions if you have them.
Submit the request above “Request a Private Instructor” & a staff member will respond to you via email within 24-48 hours.
Please respond to any additional questions that they have via email. We are often on the water and unable to answer the phone. Therefore, email is the most reliable way to reach us.
Instructor Match, Confirm Availability, & Number of Hours
We will match you with the right instructor to meet your needs and who is available during your requested time-frame.
Due to the sheer time it takes to complete the following steps and limited availability of our instructors, we prefer to schedule services at least 2 weeks in advance. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Hourly rates are above.
You will receive an invoice via email
Pay the invoice to reserve your dates/times - Your request for services is NOT officially confirmed and your dates/times are not reserved until we receive payment.
We will email you a few forms to fill out and return via email. They can be filled out digitally or with ink & scanned.
Release of Liability, Medical Waiver, and Depiction Release.
NOTE: When you submit the above form you have already agreed to our terms & conditions.
Instruction on privately owned vessels or for Insurance Proficiency Assessments
You will need to add your instructor as “approved operator” to your vessel’s insurance. Although all of our instructors carry their own professional liability insurance, this additional step is standard protocol for any on-water services with reputable service providers.
For those seeking Insurance Proficincy Assessments, this is also how your insurance company approves your instructor’s qualifications so that they can sign-off on your skills and may provide specific paperwork for the Captain to fill out. Not just any captain will be approved by insurance to sign-off for insurance purposes. You will need to submit written proof from your insurance company to us that this has been completed.
USCG Required Equipment - As the vessel owner, you will be required to ensure that all of the state and federal equipment that is required MUST be on-board and in proper working order prior to meeting with an instructor. If you are chartering a vessel, the charter company will handle this for you.
NASBLA approved Boating Safety Course
If you haven’t taken one yet or are not registered to take one with us, we will ask you to complete a FREE online NASBLA approved boating safety course prior to meeting with us. We are required to comply with ALL state and federal boating laws throughout the duration of your service.
Vessel Safety Check - Safety ALWAYS comes first, then fun & learning!
The first time that you meet with your instructor, a THOROUGH vessel safety check will be completed. This may be done prior to your scheduled date of service, at the beginning of your service, or both. We may also ask for a recent vessel survey if you have one. This is for the safety of you, your family/friends, the instructor, and the vessel. It is also performed as a learning experience for you to understand what needs to take place before you leave the dock, every. single. time.
If your instructor deems that it is unsafe to leave the dock, or continue with the service at any time, you will not be reimbursed for services. The minimum hourly that you were quoted still applies. However, hours of instruction purchased over the minimum quoted could be applied toward services at a later date once the safety issues are resolved.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are requiring every person meeting with an instructor & the instructor to review our COVID-19 guidelines and submit our COVID-19 Pre-Service Screener prior to any in-person services. You may asked to participate in the screener a week or 2 prior to the service, as well as within 24 hours before meeting with your instructor.