RYA Training

This course is an introduction to boating techniques for launching
and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use
of safety equipment. It will provide the skills and background knowledge
needed to be a competent powerboat driver. This course is aimed at
complete beginners with little to no experience of boating or younger
people who want a formal but not too intensive introduction to power boating.
The course covers:
Launching and recovering,
safety equipment,
pre-start checks,
personal buoyancy,
starting and stopping,
use of a kill cord,
steering controls,
securing to a buoy,
leaving and coming alongside,
being towed,
IRPCS,
rope work
awareness of other water users.

We are RYA approved to teach young people between the ages of 12 and 16 for the Powerboat Level 1 course. More...

This is the most popular course and the two days over which it is run gives just enough time to cover the extensive syllabus for both practical instruction and theory for a coastal endorsement During the two days, the course subjects are covered in adequate depth to enable the student to be safe in basic boating. The instructor will cover the following topics with you during your time with them:

Launching & recovery
Safety equipment
Lines and fenders
Fuel tanks
Boat handling at all speeds
Effects of current or tide
Propeller controls
Securing to a buoy and mooring/anchoring in general
Leaving and coming alongside
Man overboard
Engine checks
Collision Regulations
Weather forecasts
Emergency action
The shore based element of the course will cover:
The type of craft and engine that the course is being taught on;
use of power tilt & trim;
safety checks;
personal buoyancy;
awareness of other water users;
application of the collision regulations (IRPCS);
local bylaws;
towing and being towed;
communication with other craft;
emergency action;
distress signals;
fire precautions
fire fighting
rope work.

On the second day of the course we spend time looking at charts, tides, navigation buoyage and using a compass and GPS. This will give you a basic knowledge on planning your voyages for your coastal endorsement.

A further consideration when attending a level two course is where you take it. We train you for the Coastal endorsement on the tidal Thames. This means that you have learnt in conditions where tides and currents must be considered. If you intend using your boat in coastal waters ensure that you undertake a course with us, not on enclosed non-tidal inland waters.

Beware: Some Inland schools are not advising clients correctly and they are not allowed to teach and qualify you for coastal classified tickets on their water - we are!

Once you have passed the Level 2 course should you wish to apply for your International Certificate of Competence (ICC) from the RYA, we will provide the relevant forms which coupled with a photo and a copy of your certificate will get you your ‘licence’.The ICC Licence will qualify you for power craft up to 10 metres and covers you if boating abroad. The ICC is available at a charge through the RYA unless you are a member then it is free. Please note that the ICC will be issued to British citizens, or bona-fida residents of the UK (proof of address then required for non-British citizens).

We also offer testing facilities for the CEVNI test, which allows you to drive inland on continental Europe waterways, this is an addition to the ICC Coastal ticket.

Young candidates under the age of 16 who wish to take the level 2 course must hold a valid level 1 certificate, the ICC can be applied for once you are 16 years of age. More...

This course is only run on demand and requires a minimum of 2 people during weekdays and minimum of 3 people for weekends

The two days over which it is run gives just enough time to cover the extensive syllabus for both practical instruction and theory for a coastal endorsement During the two days, the course subjects are covered in adequate depth to enable the student to be safe in basic boating. The instructor will cover the following topics with you during your time with them:

Launching & recovery
Safety equipment
Lines and fenders
Fuel tanks
Boat handling at all speeds
Effects of current or tide
Propeller controls
Securing to a buoy and mooring/anchoring in general
Leaving and coming alongside
Man overboard
Engine checks
Collision Regulations
Weather forecasts
Emergency action
The shore based element of the course will cover:
The type of craft and engine that the course is being taught on;
use of power tilt & trim;
safety checks;
personal buoyancy;
awareness of other water users;
application of the collision regulations (IRPCS);
local bylaws;
towing and being towed;
communication with other craft;
emergency action;
distress signals;
fire precautions
fire fighting
rope work.

On the second day of the course we spend time looking at charts, tides, navigation buoyage and using a compass and GPS. This will give you a basic knowledge on planning your voyages for your coastal endorsement.

A further consideration when attending a level two course is where you take it. We train you for the Coastal endorsement on the tidal Thames. This means that you have learnt in conditions where tides and currents must be considered. If you intend using your boat in coastal waters ensure that you undertake a course with us, not on enclosed non-tidal inland waters.

Beware: Some Inland schools are not advising clients correctly and they are not allowed to teach and qualify you for coastal classified tickets on their water - we are!

Once you have passed the Level 2 course should you wish to apply for your International Certificate of Competence (ICC) from the RYA, we will provide the relevant forms which coupled with a photo and a copy of your certificate will get you your ‘licence’.The ICC Licence will qualify you for power craft up to 10 metres and covers you if boating abroad. The ICC is available at a charge through the RYA unless you are a member then it is free. Please note that the ICC will be issued to British citizens, or bona-fida residents of the UK (proof of address then required for non-British citizens).

We also offer testing facilities for the CEVNI test, which allows you to drive inland on continental Europe waterways, this is an addition to the ICC Coastal ticket.

Young candidates under the age of 16 who wish to take the level 2 course must hold a valid level 1 certificate, the ICC can be applied for once you are 16 years of age.

One day course, small numbers. This course replaces the Restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators course and is for students with no existing Marine VHF qualification. It covers both basic marine band VHF operation and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System procedures using Digital Selective Calling. Students will be able to practice procedures using V. H. F; D. S. C. and G. M. D. S. S equipment fitted with dummy loads in order that they may be operated in the classroom environment.
The use of this equipment rather than the computer generated simulators used at many other training establishments enables the student to experience hands-on use of the equipment & procedures.

These are used during the morning & early afternoon and assessment is a continuous process.

The all important practical assessment is complemented by a written test covering other areas of the syllabus.

CEVNI (Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure) is the code which governs navigation on European Inland Waterways. To validate your International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for inland waters you must take the CEVNI test, which checks your knowledge of the rules and signs that skippers of pleasure craft are expected to know and follow. The RYA Online ICC CEVNI test is a short multiple choice assessment,
The "RYA European waterways regulations (the CEVNI rules explained)" publication G17 provides the information you need to learn the code in a clear and concise way - a sample paper can be found at the back of the book.

You can purchase a copy in our online shop here

Also available are flip cards which is an easy way of learning and revising the shapes, lights and signs that you need to know, they are available here

Our tuition is tailored to your requirement and can include basic manoeuvering from and to berths, pontoons, moorings, slow and high speed manouvering,

You are guaranteed of exceptionally high quality instruction in a relaxed and informative environment.

The tuition can be for 1 day or several concurrent days or several individual days spaced over weeks.

We believe in developing a positive and long term relationship with our clients to ensure a solid foundation of instruction and guidance ultimately instilling a sense of confidence and ability in boat handling.