At The Helm Training was born out of necessity. A necessity observed by a professional USCG Master Mariner who over a 40-year period discerned that boats were getting bigger, more complex, and powerful with an increasing number of operators having little experience and understanding of safe operational procedures of THEIR vessel.  

The idea came from a martial arts class, that is right, a martial arts class. While participating in a class from a world-renowned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training family, that only did one-on-one training.

We noticed that whether we participated in a class in California or Florida they both had the lesson syllabus written on the wall. Those lessons contained the same techniques, taught in a tried-and-true sequence that formed an automatic response. At that moment we thought why not apply the same idea for a marine safety training course for boat owners on THEIR boat.

Each vessel is unique, but the basic understanding of safe vessel operations and seamanship can be adapted to any boat with our proven syllabus. At The Helm Training provides a personalized learning experience by a professional Captain or Trainer to teach a new or experienced boat owner, who wants to improve upon their skills.

You do not need a boating license to operate a boat in the majority of the United States, but many states require a general safety course. At The Helm Training course provides a curriculum taught from a system developed with over 40 years of experience of what works and what does not. 

We discovered in our experiences of working with people with the resources to own a 30-to-60-foot yacht, that they do not have the time, necessity or desire to go to a Captain school. Additionally, the courses offered by publicly funded organizations lack the hands on training specific to the boat they will operate. At The Helm Training system addresses these shortcomings.

Meet the Team 

Captain John Dial

During the 40 years of his boating industry career, John started as a mate on a yacht graduating to 8 issues of USCG Master Licenses. The first issue was in 1980. He has logged sea time of hundreds of thousands of miles on the sea, intercostal and inland rivers in the USA and internationally. This has been on yachts and sport fishing boats from 70ft to 120ft.  John has been involved with almost every aspect of the yachting industry throughout his yachting career including; “A Yacht Management Co” which managed larger yachts, “Lima yacht Sales” a yacht brokerage company, and “Broadbill Enterprises” whose primary role is a service company for yacht projects.Through a myriad of experiences in the industry over 40 years, John realized the glaring need for “At The Helm Training” was undeniable. With a deeply rooted enthusiasm to create a safer boating environment for everyone, the copywritten approved training course is designed for boat owners to familiarize themselves with their boat systems and operations. John has always thought his role in the industry was one of education, to both him and his clients. He has always viewed his career as his passion.

Born and raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, Mike’s father was a highly regarded yacht captain and owner of a yacht management company for 25 years. At 12 years old Mike recalls being paid $7 an hour to wash down, polish metal, paint engine rooms, and other general maintenance for his father.

Captain Mike LaNeve attended the University of Georgia where he majored in Business Management with an emphasis in Supply Chain and Operations Management. During his time in college, he served as President of the Association of Supply Chain Management, founder of the Student Equity Initiative, and member of the Supply Chain advisory board. Mike currently holds a Lean Six Sigma yellow belt certification. He has served as a first mate on multiple vessels and has 5 years’ experience as a USCG licensed captain. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of At The Helm Training, Captain Mike is most excited about growing the confidence of new vessel owners so that they may enjoy their time on the water as safely as possible. 

- At The Helm Captains -