RYA Powerboat Level 2

This is a 2 day course that provides a sound introduction to powerboating.

It will give you the knowledge and skills required to drive a powerboat in coastal waters by covering some theory as well as the practical skills. The course includes launching and recovery, boat handling, high speed manoeuvres, anchoring, securing to a buoy, man overboard and safety and seamanship. The course is run on our EASS rib with a maximum of 3 students, keeping the tutor to student ratio small.

On completion of this course the certificate level (proving you are over 16 and a British Citizen) allows you to apply for an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) for a powerboat up to 10 m. The ICC is an internationally recognised qualification and can be used widely to hire speedboats in the UK and abroad.

Minimum age: 12

What's included?

• You will be coached over the full RYA course syllabus on one of the school owned powerboats.
• Parking – available at Suffolk Yacht Harbour
• All mooring fees, safety equipment, fuel and tuition from one of our experienced RYA instructors.

Maximum teaching ratio - 3:1 

Course language - English

Our boat – one weekend commencing at 0930 hours on Saturday and again on Sunday.

Your own boat - There is also the option to take this course on your own powerboat, benefiting from practicing and learning how to handle your own vessel.

Direct Assessment for experience powerboat drivers - £395.00 (1:1)

If you are an experienced powerboat driver and you would like to achieve the Powerboat Level 2 qualification, there is the option to complete a direct assessment. This is half a day where you will be expected to show that you understand the principles of each manoeuver  in the Powerboat Level 2 syllabus. 

RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate.

Holders of this certificate will be able to obtain the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) - this is a certificate which is intended to provide evidence of competence when requested by officials in foreign countries. You will often be required to show this when chartering vessels abroad.

Under 16's: the license will be issued with an endorsement and does not qualify the candidate for an ICC 

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 the weekend.

Practical

Launching and Recovery

Knowledge of:

Use of a trailer or launching trolley

Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions

Number of persons required to launch/recover

Construction, width and condition of slipway

Steep/slippery slipways, beach launching, lee shores

Care of trailer bearings, hitch, lashings, ties, lights and winch

Trailer Parking

Can:

Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board.

Boat Handling

Knowledge of:

Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE

Plate and manufacturers recommendation. Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way.

Understands:

Crew members: minimum number in high-speed craft, keeping a look out

Awareness of water users, including effect of wash

Steering, controls, effect or current or tidal stream

High speed manoeuvring: planning, trim tabs and power trim

Planning boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, high/low speed handling, tiller/console steering

Can:

Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stopping

Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times

Carry out low speed manoeuvres including: turning in a confined area, effect of wind on bow and holding off

Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern

Carry out high-speed manoeuvres including S-Turns and U-Turns

Securing to a Buoy

Understands:

Preparation of a mooring warp

Use of a boat hook

Method of approach

Crew communication

Making fast

Procedure when overshooting

Can:

Approach and secure to buoy.

Anchoring

Understands:

Method of approach in various conditions

Taking way off

Crew communication

Check holding

Depth of water, holding ground, scope required

Knowledge of:

Types of anchor

Stowage and attachment to boat

Preparation of anchor, chain and warp

Weighing anchor

Can:

Approach and anchor correctly

Weigh anchor correctly

Leaving and Coming Alongside

Understands:

Preparation and use of painter, lines, and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way

Speed and angle of approach

Wind effect

Method of approach in tidal stream or current. Can:

Make fast alongside

Use springs

Leave - ahead or astern

Man Overboard

Knowledge of:

Recovery of man overboard

Can:

Take immediate action

Observe the man overboard

Carry out the correct return of awareness of propeller

Approach and recover the man in the water.

Theory

Types of Craft

Advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea-keeping ability

Seating arrangements

Stepped hulls

Engines and Drives

Advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin-shaft drives, choice and use of fuels

Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers

Routine engine checks, basic fault diagnosis

Close down procedure

Other

Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters

Use and limitations of GPS

Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping

Sources of weather information

Awareness of other water users

Communication with other craft - hand and sound signals

Disabled craft

Emergency action, preventing sinking 

Adrift - alternative means or propulsion 

Towing and being towed

Fire precautions and fire fighting 

Rope work

Distress signals and the Mayday call

Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5,7,8,9,12-19

Coastal

Knowledge of:

Byelaws and local regulations

Insurance

Boat registration schemes

Understands:

Pilotage and passage planning 

Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems

Tides and tidal streams

Can:

Use steering and hand bearing compasses

Apply Section A on coastal waters