River School

Earn a Coast Guard-approved license and get trained for a career on the water

Getting a Coast Guard-approved license is your first step towards a career on the water. The River School offers Coast Guard-approved licenses, as well as training in vessel operation and safety.
Our programs are designed to give you the skills you need to be a safe and successful river operator. We offer both classroom and on-the-water instruction. Our experienced instructors will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to earn your mariner license and begin your career on the water.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you achieve your goals

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About Us

The River School: Coast Guard Approved Training

The River School has offered travel courses in the Pittsburgh and Huntington areas. By opening a branch office equipped with a radar simulator, we can offer mariners in the Ohio River Valley a full range of license preparatory and Coast Guard approved courses as well as custom training programs.

Why choose us ?

Get trained for a career on the river

The River School offers a variety of courses, both those required by Coast Guard regulations and others for individual professional development. Our courses are all transportable making them convenient and cost effective. Courses include Licensing, Maritime Security, Radar Observer, Tankerman, and Special Programs. Learn more information about courses offered.

Our Classes

The River School offers a variety of courses, both those required by Coast Guard regulations and others for individual professional development. Our courses are all transportable making them convenient and cost effective.

Inland Rules of the Road Course

Designed specifically for mariners navigating U.S. inland waterways, this focused 16-hour Inland Rules of the Road course provides in-depth training on domestic navigation regulations. Integrated into our Stearman class offerings, students will delve into critical aspects such as vessel maneuvering rules, inland-specific signaling requirements, buoy and marker systems, and safe navigation practices tailored to inland water operations. Gain the expertise and confidence required to navigate effectively within U.S. waters.

International Rules of the Road Course

Master navigational safety and compliance with our extensive 16-hour International & Inland Rules of the Road course. Integrated seamlessly into our existing Stearman classes, this course covers essential topics such as collision prevention regulations, vessel right-of-way protocols, navigational light recognition, and sound signaling techniques for both international and inland waters. Enhance your operational competence, ensure regulatory adherence, and significantly improve your navigational decision-making abilities.

US Coast Guard-Approved Firefighting Course

Prepare yourself to respond confidently and effectively in maritime emergencies with our US Coast Guard-approved firefighting course. This comprehensive 12-hour training program, starting June 1st, provides critical skills in fire prevention, suppression techniques, emergency equipment usage, and vessel-specific firefighting procedures. Completion of this course not only ensures compliance with maritime safety regulations but also equips participants with the essential knowledge needed for maintaining a safe working environment aboard vessels.

All Events

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Days Left

10-Day Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels on Western Rivers

Jul 21, 2025

10-day course includes in-depth instruction in all subject areas required…

The River School

BY THE NUMBERS

STATISTICS

The River School

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Loyal Rivermen and
Inland Mariner Customers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Miles of navigable rivers, inland and intracoastal channels

Locks and dam sites maintained

Inland Marine Industry

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Towing Vessels

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Employment

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Additional Jobs Supported by U.S. Towing Industry

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Generated by U.S. Towing Industry Economic Activities

Become a certified mariner with the help of our courses

We provide maritime training for all levels and ages

We’ve been teaching mariners for over 30 years. Learn from the best!

Certified Teacher

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Happy Student

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Event & Exhibitions

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10+ win the national competition

Become a certified mariner with the help of our courses

What they say about our classes

5-stars! Amazing class; great instructors!

Invaluable Course!

Their application packages saved me at least 50 hours of digging to find the documents I needed to get my certifications.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT TYPE OF COURSES DOES THE RIVER SCHOOL OFFER?

CAN I GET INFORMATION ON INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS?

Our instructors are professionals with service in the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Merchant Marine and the river industry. All are highly qualified in their field and are experienced, proven training professionals. Learn more about our staff.

DOES THE RIVER SCHOOL OFFER TRAINING MATERIALS?

The River School offers books and training videos for professional development.

DO YOU CHARGE A FEE FOR APPLICATION ASSISTANCE?

Yes. There is a $100 fee for application assistance. We provide a complete application package including all of the forms required for the license sought. Advice and assistance in completing the package is available via our toll-free phone number or email. Upon receipt, we review the package for completeness and contact you for any missing or incomplete information. Your pre-screened application package is then delivered to the Coast Guard REC in Memphis for processing. (Note: The Coast Guard provides express service for your application once we have prescreened it. This means a quicker turn-around for your license transaction.) We hate to charge a fee for paperwork assistance. We’d rather not have to charge a fee for paperwork assistance, but there are some folks out there who take advantage of our time and expertise only to attend training elsewhere. We’d like to help everyone, but time is money and our (800) number is meant for our customers — not the customers of other schools.