RYA Training Centre

RYA Advanced Powerboat Course

For the serious powerboat user or commercial operator.

Course Elements: Boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and night in tidal, coastal waters.

Candidates should be competent to the standard of National Powerboat Certificate Level 2 (coastal) with knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate. It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a First Aid Certificate and a VHF Operators Licence.

Duration: 2 days and part of 1 night

Age: Minimum 17 yrs

Course Details

Section A - Practical

Preparation for Sea: Preparation of the boat, fuel and engine checks, stowing and securing gear.
Boat handling: Characteristics of various hulls and propeller configurations. Knowledge of action to be taken in rough weather, understanding correct use of power trims and trim tabs. The effects of tide and wind when manoeuvring including:
- steering to transits
- turning in confined spaces
- berthing
- picking up moorings
Passage making: Plans and pilotage for entry into or departure from harbour, use of leading and clearing lines, transits and sounding as an aid to pilotage, high speed navigation and GPS waypoint navigation.
Night cruising: Powerboating at night, including entering and leaving harbour, special considerations for keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

Section B - Shorebased/Theory

Meteorology: Sources of weather information, interpretation of forecasts, understanding the terms used in shipping forecasts including the Beaufort Scale and the significance to small craft.
Rules of the Road: Application and theory.
Use of engines: Checks before and during running, how to bleed a fuel system and change filters, transmission belts, changing the propeller or sheer pin, emergency start cord.
Emergency Situations: Correct action to be taken in the case of: fire, hull damage, medical emergency, VHF emergency, helicopter rescue, use of flares, man overboard and sector search.

Cost per person £285 max 3 per boat.

Fast track one to one £395