RYA Helmsman Course

This 2 day entry level course introduces you to coastal motor cruising. Covering elementary seamanship, rope work and basic boat handling skills.

This course can be combined with the Day Skipper practical course, which enables you to complete both courses in 5 days rather than completing them separately, which would require 6 days.

What's Included?

• You will be coached over the full RYA course syllabus as you live aboard our motorboat.
• All meals are provided for the duration of the course including a home cooked wholesome and hearty evening meal, exactly what you need after a day’s our on the water!
• Accommodation on board you are required to bring a sleeping bag with you & you can expect to stay overnight at other local marinas
• Parking - available at Suffolk Yacht Harbour
• All mooring fees, safety equipment, fuel and tuition from one of our experienced RYA instructors.

Maximum teaching ratio - 4:1 

Course language - English

EASS Boat: 2 day course starting on Monday morning at 0930 and ending Tusday afternoon.

Own Boat: 2 day course on your own boat at a time to suit you providing your boat is up to safety standards & we have an available instructor. 

RYA Helmsmans Certificate.

Holders of this certificate will be able to obtain the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) - this does not validate the coastal water category. 

If the weather is not looking great or is forecast to be a bit chilly or windy you can hire wet weather gear from us.

Musto Waterproofs available in S, M, L, XL and XXL. £22.00 for two days.

You are expected to bring the following comfort pack items with you; however if you don't want to bring your best duck down pillow or you haven't got a sleeping bag, don't worry you can hire a comfort pack from us!

A Comfort Pack comprises of a freshly laundered sleeping bag with liner, pillow, pillow case and towel. £16.00 for the course.

Types of Craft

Sports boats, motor cruisers planing / displacement

Types of hull, seakeeping, wash considerations

Engines and Drives

Petrol / diesel

Single / twin screw

Shafts / outdrives, outboard, waterjets

Engine operation and maintenance

Pre-start checks inboards / outboards

Engine checks while running

Routine maintenance checks

Fuel consumption range, reserve and location of cut-offs

Basic fault diagnosis

Safety and Seamanship

Personal safety equipment, lifejackets, buoyancy aids, flares, first aid kit

Anchoring: types, stowage, depth of water, preparation, check holding, weighing

Disable craft, towing

Fire precautions, extinguishers, fire blankets

Rules of the Road

Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS)

Boat Preparation

Local boating conditions and regulations

Preparation of boat, lines and fenders

Safety equipment, lifejackets, dangers, number in boat

CE marks, loading, effect on handling and performance

Use of kill cords

If trailing - number of people for launching/recovery, slipway condition steep/slippery, wind, tide

Can tie / know use of: bowline, round turn and two half hitches, clove hitch, single and double sheet bend

Boat Handling

Steering, controls, windage

Starting and stopping

Low speed, steering a straight course

Turning in a confined area

Effect of wind on bow

High speed / full power, planning, trim tabs and power trim

S turns, U turns, stopping from speed

Displacement craft - handling ahead and astern

Carrying way

Securing to a Buoy

Preparation of mooring warp and boathooks

Method of approach in various conditions

Crew communication

Making fast

Berthing Alongside

Preparation and use of lines and springs, fenders, attachment to boat, stowage underway, securing to cleats

Method of approach in various conditions of wind and tide conditions

Making fast - importance of "taking a turn"

Use of springs to leave a berth

Man Overboard

Immediate reaction and proper observation of man overboard

Correct return

Awareness of propellers

Final approach and recovery of man overboard