Minimum age: Eight years old
Endorsements: If aged 8 – 11 years and therefore should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult on board the craft.
If aged 12 – 15 years, therefore the holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.

The course aims to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. To make students aware of safety in and around powerboats. The course will include launching and recovery, boat handling, securing to a buoy, anchoring, leaving and coming alongside, man overboard and an introduction to navigation and weather conditions. The course is a must for anyone thinking of buying a boat and aims to make the candidates self-sufficient powerboaters in the right conditions, aware of their own limitations and those of craft.

Clothing and equipment

Dependant on the weather waterproofs are advisable, the majority of the course being on water. If you have your own waterproofs, we recommend you wear those as they will fit and be comfortable, you will also need comfortable non slip shoes & a change of clothes, suncream, sunglasses & a hat can also be useful. If you don’t have any kit the school provides lifejacket’s and spray tops, however we don’t provide waterproof trousers.

Next steps

The next step in powerboating in the RYA’s syllabus is the intermediate powerboat course, which teaches more about navigation, and will help you expand your horizons & explore outside the estuary. It is a good idea to have a seasons experience driving a boat before signing up to do this course.

The safety boat course is ideal if you’re wanting to work at a centre or help at a sailing club, it’s for rescue boat handling.

SRC/VHF Is essential for radio handling.Minimum age: Twelve years old

Endorsement:  If aged 12 – 15 and therefore the holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.

We can run the course on a one to one basis or as a group of no more than three, this can take place on one of our boats or your own boat. The course is run over 2 days. The minimum age to attend the course is 16 years old.

The course requires you to have your level 2 powerboat certificate along with a seasons experience driving the boat, along with knowledge to the day skipper theory is highly recommended. It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and VHF/SRC operators’ certificate.

The course consists of planning a day cruise, boat preparation, boat handling, pilotage, passage making, and man overboard exorcises. Once the candidate has completed their intermediate powerboat course they will be able to plan and execute short coastal passages by day.

Clothing and equipment

Dependant on the weather waterproofs are advisable, the majority of the course being on water. If you have your own waterproofs, we recommend you wear those as they will fit and be comfortable, you will also need comfortable non slip shoes & a change of clothes, suncream, sunglasses & a hat can also be useful. If you don’t have any kit the school provides lifejacket’s and spray tops, however we don’t provide waterproof trousers.

Advanced powerboat

We can run the course on a one to one basis or as a group of no more than three to one, this course is run on our boat. The course is run over two days including at least 1-night navigation exorcise. The minimum age to take part in this course is 17.

The advanced powerboat is for leisure and professional boaters wanting to undertake more adventurous trips by day and night. Before booking on the course candidates should be competent to the standard of the intermediate certificate, with a thorough knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of coastal skipper/ RYA yacht master shore-based. It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and VHF operators’ certificate.

The course includes navigation at planing speed, weather and other aspects of skippering power boats on more challenging passages in coastal waters. The course contains preparation for sea, boat handling, passage making and responsibilities as a skipper, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, use of engines, emergency situations and night cruising. Once the candidates have completed the  advanced powerboat course candidates will be able to plan and execute coastal trips and return to a familiar port by night.

Clothing and equipment

Dependant on the weather waterproofs are advisable, the majority of the course being on water. If you have your own waterproofs, we recommend you wear those as they will fit and be comfortable, you will also need comfortable non slip shoes & a change of clothes, suncream, sunglasses & a hat can also be useful. If you don’t have any kit the school provides lifejacket’s and spray tops, however we don’t provide waterproof trousers.

This course is available in the classroom and online.

However you decide to take the course, it offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew, and those wanting to refresh their skills. In fact it’s for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, sea angling or diving, and works well in complementing our on-the-water training, such as the Powerboat Level 2, Start Yachting and Helmsman courses.

It’s a highly informative course with lots of opportunities for you to put your new found knowledge into practice. If you decide to take the course online, you will find many interactive exercises to help reinforce the information and lots of chances to try out what you’ve learned.

Course topics include:

• Charts and Publications
• Safety
• Engine checks
• Buoyage
• Tidal awareness
• Visual and electronic navigation
• Pilotage
• Rules of the road
• Anchoring
• Weather forecasts
• Passage planning

You will receive a course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook and exercises.

How long is the course?

In the classroom, the course is taught over 16 hours with exercises to complete along the way. It can be covered as a series of short sessions or over two full days.

Online the course will take around six hours, but the beauty of it is that you can work through it at your own speed, whenever and wherever you like.

The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required to operate marine VHF radio equipment on a UK flagged vessel. This includes both fixed and handheld equipment with and without Digital Selective Calling (DSC). It is obtained by successfully completing an SRC exam conducted at an RYA Recognised Training Centre.

Most candidates are required to complete an RYA SRC course prior to taking the exam, therefore the majority of exams take place after marine radio SRC courses. When booking a SRC course the RYA training centre will give you details of the time and location for the exam.

The SRC course may be taken in a classroom or online through an RYA Recognised Training Centre. There is no age limit for taking the SRC course although exam candidates must be 16 years old on the day of the exam.

If this course is taken in the classroom the fee does not include the licence.

A comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers.

This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.

We are continually updating our courses to take into account developments in technology and the electronic navigation aids now available on most cruising boats.

In conjunction with the UK Hydrographic Office we have developed a chart plotter specifically for use on training courses, giving you a realistic insight into electronic navigation. Use of this plotter is an integral part of our Day Skipper shorebased course.

We have northern and southern hemisphere versions of our training materials. So, no matter where you are in the world, our course can be tailored to you.

The course is taught over 40 hours with two exam papers. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or by distance learnin

Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages.

This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster™ Coastal and Yachtmaster™ Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

As with the Day Skipper shorebased course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give you a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation.

Students in the southern hemisphere can take advantage of the southern hemisphere version of our training materials, ensuring that your course is relevant to you.

The course is taught over 40 hours with three exam papers. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or by distance learning.