CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina -- Doused in water from the surf, Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Improved Ribbon Bridge Company, instructed their peers on how to safely and correctly use the Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft, also known as the Zodiac, in an operator’s knowledge course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 19, 2015.

This course was a brief instruction on maintaining, handling and basic maneuverability and safety with the Zodiac.

After taking a month-long Zodiac course, the Marine graduates were able to pass along their knowledge to other Marines in the company. Not only does this raise the proficiency of Marines in the company, it also gives junior Marines a chance to be mentors and guide fellow engineers.

When handling the zodiacs in real-life scenarios the Marines learned caches, more safety procedures and how to navigate on the waterways.

“[The CRRC] is lower profile than the other boats used, it’s a lot quieter, and a tactical boat that can be used at night,” said 1st Lt. Casey Dye, the platoon commander for IRB Co.

Dye added that the main goal is for the Marines to learn to use the CRRCs safely and to their full potential. She wants them to learn maneuvering in small spaces, open water, and low and high RPMs, so that way they will be will prepared for whatever situations arise while conducting engineer reconnaissance.

Engineer reconnaissance enables forward movement by surveying the terrain or sand bars in the water for larger boats to avoid and supports in getting Marines on shore

“Handling a boat like this is a unique thing, not many people get to do it,” said LCpl. Paul Huettner an instructor and safety boat driver for the Zodiac operators course.

Although this is one of the first courses in about a year, Cpl. Maxine Tarum, an instructor with the zodiac course, says that she hopes to conduct more courses, expanding their scope to teach Marines in other occupational fields.