Motor Cruising Courses/ICC/CEVNI

 

Helmsman's Course

This 2 day course for the beginner, covers basic boat handling, helmsmanship, introduction to engine maintenance and boating safety.  No pre-course experience is required. 

It is ideal for the new owner who is conscious of the difficulty and potential hazards of boat handling in the marina and wishes to obtain more enjoyment for all concerned by setting out on simple passages in safety.  It is also a useful course for the crew. Apart from the obvious safety value of having extra boat handlers on board, it adds interest if everyone can understand and contribute to successful passage making.

By the end of the course the student should be competent to handle a motor cruiser in sheltered waters.

 

Day Skipper Practical

This four day course concentrates on skippering the vessel, navigation, pilotage and close quarters manoeuvring.

Very little practical pre-course experience is required, but it will be assumed that you have basic theoretical knowledge of navigation to the Day Skipper shorebased level.

Over the four days you will cover at least 100 miles and carry out a night passage. Safety, the problems and responsibilities of being in charge of a vessel and how to cope with common difficulties will be introduced.  There will be an opportunity to skipper the vessel on short passages.  the night cruising has emphasis on leaving and entering a harbour, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

By the end of the course you should be able to skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day.  On successful completion the Day Skipper Practical Certificate will be awarded, which enables you to apply for the International Certificate of Competence for vessels up to 24 metres.

 

Coastal Skipper Practical

The five day course, for the more experienced, covers the topics of Day Skipper, but in greater depth, perfecting skills and techniques for coastal and offshore passages by day or night.

The minimum pre-course experience is 15 days on board (2 as skipper), 300 sea miles and 8 night hours. It is assumed that your ability will be to Coastal Skipper theory for navigation and Day Skipper Practical for boat handling. 

Over the course you will log at least 100 miles and 4 night hours.  There will be an opportunity to show ability as Skipper - to take charge, make decisions, plan and implement passages, organise navigation, deckwork and domestic duties. 

On completion you should be able to skipper a motor cruiser on coastal passages by day or night, and will gain the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate.

After, you may wish to undergo the RYA/DoT Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence exam. If you have gained the Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate, the sea time required is 20 days (2 as skipper), 400 sea miles and 12 night hours. Without this you must have, within the last 10 years, 30 days on board (2 as skipper), 800 sea miles and 12 night hours. You must also hold the VHF/SRC Radio Operators Licence and a recognised valid First Aid Certificate. To obtain commercial endorsement of this qualification you will need a Sea Survival Certificate and an RYA/DoT current medical.

To take the practical exam, candidates must be aged 17 or over.

 

Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation and exam

The preparation for the RYA/Dot Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate exam can vary from 2 -4 days depending on previous skills.  This is for the very experienced, the qualification being highly regarded worldwide.

Although the syllabus is the same as Coastal Skipper a more comprehensive standard is required.  A thorough shorebased knowledge including IRPCS, lights and shapes, sound signals and meteorology is essential.  The instructor will assess your needs and structure the course accordingly, perfecting your skills.  The minimum pre-course criteria, over the last 10 years, is 50 days on board, 2500 miles, 5 days as skipper, 5 passages over 60 miles (2 as skipper, 2 at night).  You must also hold the VHF/SRC Operator's Licence and a current recognised First Aid Certificate.  For commercial endorsement of this qualification you will need a Sea Survival Certificate and an RYA/DoT current medical. 

After your preparation, an RYA examiner will come aboard on the final day to assess you. If successful you will be awarded the RYA/DoT Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. 

To take the practical exam, candidates must be aged 18 or over.

 

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is required in many European countries to hire or drive vessels whether for sail or power.

Many RYA qualifications allow you to automatically apply for an ICC.  If you do not hold any of these recognised certificates it can be obtained independently.  This can take the form of either a half day test or a course over several days depending on your previous experience.

The ICC for up to 24 metre vessels can be obtained when taken in accordance with the RYA Motor Cruising Scheme, or, if completed within the RYA Powerboat scheme an ICC of up to 10 metre vessels will be issued. 

 

CEVNI

Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure

CEVNI is the Inland Waterways International Licence, and is a must for travel on the French Canal system. It can be obtained in the form of a half day test, depending on previous experience.