Powerboat Courses and ICC up to 10 metres

 

RYA Level 1 Certificate

Introduction to Powerboating/RIB's 4 KIDZ Junior Course

This one day certificated course has been designed as an interactive fun day for children from 8 to 12 years.  Most of the day is spent on the water teaching safety and boat handling a R.I.B.  At the end of the day the exhausted children go home with a mine of information and a nautical 'goody' bag!

It is also an introductory day for the first time powerboat handler or a member of crew, concentrating on a practical introduction to boat handling and safety.  By the end of the day, we will have covered launching and recovery, preparation of the boat and crew, basic manoeuvres at slow speed, picking up a mooring, coming alongside pontoons, travelling safely at speed and being towed. A session on safety including 'Rules of the Road' (IRPCS) is also included.

 

RYA Level 2 Certificate

National Powerboat Course

This is a fully comprehensive 2 day course for beginners which teaches boat handling and seamanship.

The boat handling sessions cover preparation of the boat and crew, launching and recovery, slow and high speed manoeuvres, picking up a mooring, anchoring, towing, leaving and coming alongside pontoons and various 'man overboard' techniques. The subject of safety including 'Rules of the Road' (IRPCS) is covered in detail. Basic navigation with use of GPS, tides, weather and rope work are all topics included on the course.

At the end of the course it is normal to have reached a level of skill, whereby the RYA Level 2 Certificate is issued along with an application form to obtain from the RYA an International Certificate of Competence for vessels up to 10 metres.

Juniors from 12 years can participate in this course.

 

RYA Intermediate Certificate

Intermediate Powerboat Course

This 2 day course teaches powerboating so that you are able to confidently complete a short coastal passage by day. 

A big emphasis is once again placed on safety, whilst traditional together with electronic navigation will be looked at in more detail, as well as all aspects of undertaking a longer cruise.  These skills will be put into practice to prepare a plan for carrying out a passage. 

You should already be competent to the National Powerboat Level 2 standard and it is recommended that you hold a First Aid certificate and a VHF/SRC Operator's Licence.

The minimum age for this course is 16 years.

 

RYA Advanced Certificate

Advanced/Night Navigation

This 2 day course is to teach seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to be able to drive a powerboat safely by day and night in familiar tidal coastal waters.

Safety, emergency situations, weather and passage making are covered in more detail, as well as the responsibility of the skipper. A night passage is carried out. 

It is recommended that you should be competent to the standard of the Intermediate Powerboat Course with a thorough knowledge of navigation and chartwork.

It is a requirement to hold a current First Aid Certificate and a VHF/SRC Operator's Licence.

The minimum age for this course is 17 years.

 

International Certificate of Competence

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

Many of the RYA qualifications allow you to automatically claim an ICC. If you do not hold one of these 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. 

If the course/test is completed within the RYA Powerboat scheme, then an ICC for up to 10 metre vessels can be obtained, or, if completed within the RYA Motor Cruising scheme, then an ICC for up to 24 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.