From First Certificate to Officer of the Watch - John W. Tiberia’s Journey Back to the Classroom

John W. Tiberia
Safe Boating Instructor | U.S. Coast Guard–Licensed Deck Officer

Long before he stood a navigational watch aboard a 30,000-GRT commercial vessel, John W. Tiberia was simply a kid on the water—learning the rhythms of boating from the deck of his family’s pleasure boat. At just seven years old, he fell in love with life afloat. By ten, he was sitting in a Safe Boating America classroom himself, earning his first Boat Certificate under the instruction of Captain Rich Werner, National Education Director, Safe Boating America.

At the time, it felt like a requirement. In hindsight, it was the first step in a lifelong maritime journey—one that would eventually bring him back to the classroom, this time as an instructor helping others earn their New York Boating License / Certificate.

A Foundation Built on the Water

Those early years boating alongside his father laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Learning good habits, sound judgment, and respect for the water shaped John’s approach long before boating became a profession.

After high school, that foundation carried him to the State University of New York Maritime College, where he was accepted into one of the nation’s premier maritime training programs.

Building a Professional Mariner

At Maritime College, John immersed himself in the academic and practical demands of professional seamanship. His studies included:

• Maritime law and environmental regulations
• Shiphandling and simulator-based navigation
• Meteorology and voyage planning
• Rules of the road and collision avoidance
• Terrestrial and celestial navigation
• Ship construction, stability, and safety

Summers were spent at sea aboard the Training Ship Empire State VII and on commercial vessels, where classroom theory became real-world practice across oceans and international waterways.

John graduated early magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. He also passed all seven U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited Tonnage and Horsepower Third and Second Mate examinations in succession—an exceptionally rigorous process. He now holds U.S. Coast Guard licenses as:

• Third Mate Unlimited
• Second Mate Unlimited
• Master of 100 Gross Register Tons

While working at sea, he later completed his Master of Science in Shipping & Logistics with honors.

From a Family Boat to a 700-Foot Tanker

Following graduation, John transitioned from his family’s 22-foot Sea Ray Sundeck to a 700-foot oil tanker—this time not as a deckhand, but as a licensed Third Mate and Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW).

At just 21 years old, he is responsible for the safe navigation of a commercial vessel for eight hours each day in some of the world’s most congested waterways, including:

• The South China Sea
• The Arabian Sea
• The Straits of Malacca
• The Straits of Hormuz
• Bab el-Mandeb

Many of these transits occurred while supporting U.S. military operations in active environments.

His advanced training includes RADAR, GMDSS, tanker operations, advanced firefighting, survival craft, medical first aid, vessel security, and military qualifications including CBRN defense.

Learning to Lead

John’s path into teaching began while he was still a cadet. Serving as Cadet Navigator and Assistant Chief Cadet Officer, he helped train younger cadets and learned early what it means to be a true shipmate—looking out for one another and understanding that safety is always a shared responsibility.

That same philosophy now guides his work as a Safe Boating America instructor.

Bridging Professional and Recreational Boating

Despite working on vessels measured in football fields, John has never lost sight of the recreational boater. When he’s not navigating a commercial tanker, he’s operating the same types of pleasure craft his students own.

This dual perspective allows him to uniquely bridge professional maritime standards with everyday boating realities—whether students are pursuing a Nassau County Boating Course, a Suffolk County Boat Course, or certification for a JetSki License.

Teaching with Purpose

In his Safe Boating America classes, John creates a calm, welcoming, and judgment-free learning environment. His philosophy is simple:

Every student should leave more confident, more informed, and safer on the water.

He emphasizes preparation, situational awareness, and thoughtful decision-making. His “slow like a pro” approach reminds students that rushing rarely leads to good outcomes—and that calm heads almost always prevail.

Classes are interactive, engaging, and filled with real-world stories from both commercial shipping and recreational boating. Questions are encouraged. Participation is valued. No one is ever made to feel out of place.

One Class at a Time

Though young in years, John brings depth earned through oceans crossed, watches stood, and responsibilities carried under pressure. For him, teaching is more than a side role—it’s a way to give back.

Helping someone earn a Boat Certificate or New York Boating License matters. Helping them make safer decisions on the water is the real goal.

From childhood days on family boats to navigating some of the world’s largest vessels in the busiest shipping lanes, John W. Tiberia’s journey shows where strong foundations, disciplined training, and respect for the water can lead.

Today, when he's not deployed, he’s proud to pass those lessons on—one class, one boater, and one safer waterway at a time by teaching Certification courses for Safe Boating America

Students can register for classes at www.safeboatingamerica.com

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