Resources

RYA Humber Rescue Powerboat Training School

We run all our Powerboat training courses on the River Humber and use a fully equipped, 8.5m RIB with twin engines.

We have vast knowledge and experience of power boating and all fees from our courses (after costs) are used to help support the ongoing Humber Rescue Service.

We can offer the following Courses:

RYA Powerboat Level One Course

Duration:

1 day

Likely Participants

This course particularly suits those keen for a basic introduction to powerboating. Those considering buying a boat can get a good idea about boating by attending and partners of boaters can use the course to acquire the skills necessary to handle a craft in an emergency if their partner is incapacitated. Those with their own boat, or acquiring one, should take the Level 2 course (which covers things in far more depth) - achieving Level 1 is NOT a prerequisite before attending Level 2 so Level 1 can be bypassed if required.

Course Description

The RYA Level One course acts as a good introduction to the world of powerboating. Run over one day, the course’s aim is to "provide a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats." Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your day with him/her:

  • Launch & recovery
  • Preparation of boat
  • Boat handling
  • Picking up and securing to a mooring buoy
  • Leaving and coming alongside
  • Being towed

The shorebased element of the day will cover: Personal buoyancy; insurance; loading and how this effects handling & performance, balance & trim; crew members; awareness of other water users; application of the collision regulations (IRPCS); local bylaws; accepting a tow and rope work.

Pre-course Requirements

No prior boating experience is necessary.

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RYA Powerboat Level Two Course

Duration:

2 days

Likely Participants

This is the most popular powerboat qualification and is also known as the 'National Powerboat Certificate' . Those gaining their Level 2 can then apply to the RYA for their ICC ('International Certificate of Competence'). ICCs are required in many european countries when using or chartering vessels. The course suits those with extensive boat handling experience and those who have never stepped onto a boat before.

Course Description

The RYA Level Two course is also known as the National Powerboat Certificate. It is the most popular course and the two days over which it is run gives plenty of time for both practical instruction and theory. The course aims is to: "teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats." Whilst at first glance the syllabus appears very similar to the level one course the extra time available makes a real difference to the depth in which subjects are covered and thus the amount a student can learn. Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your day with him/her:

  • Launching & recovery
  • Boat handling
  • Securing to a buoy
  • Anchoring
  • Leaving and coming alongside
  • Man overboard

The shorebased element of the course will cover: The types of craft and their respective advantages/disadvantages; engines & drives; use of power tilt & trim tabs; 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 and fire fighting and rope work.

Depending on how an individual examiner structures the course, the second day may involve a practical assessment of boat handling capability. This will involve undertaking maneuvers learnt earlier in the course. This test can be taken on its own without undertaking the Level two course. This is known as Direct Assessment and can lead to the award of a level two certificate. Further information on all of the powerboat courses that comprise the National Powerboat Scheme can be found in RYA Powerboating Logbook (G20/96) which is available from the RYA or all good chandlers.

Pre-course Requirements

No prior boating experience is necessary.

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RYA Intermediate Powerboat Course

Duration:

2 days

Likely Participants

The course suits those possessing Level 2, a reasonable level of boating experience - a season or two - and a keenness to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to plan and undertake short coastal passages.

Course Description

At first glance the syllabus reads as very similar to Level 2. The key difference though is the level to which each subject is covered and the practical application of the skills and knowledge developed. The course will address directly the use of electronic aids such as GPS looking at the integration of these aids with techniques such as "the railway track", "the spider's web", etc.:

  • Basic pilotage and passage planning for small boats
  • Chartwork balancing the use of GPS and use of charts in a small craft
  • Correct use of GPS (XTE (cross track error), SOG (Speed over ground), BTW & DTW)
  • Other areas such as tides and weather

Pre-course Requirements

No prior boating experience is necessary.

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RYA Advanced Powerboat Course

Duration:

2 days including a late night finish on the first day

Likely Participants

This course suits both keen amateurs and professional users alike. Participants should possess a number of years experience and already be very capable powerboat handlers as it is assumed that attendees can perform all of the elements of the level 2 course with ease. Equally, attendees should have chartwork & navigation skills at the standard of Dayskipper theory. Whilst having already achieved Dayskipper theory is not a prerequisite it is strongly recommended as it ensures that no time on the course is wasted addressing a shortfall in capability in this area

Course Description

The Advanced powerboat course is aimed at experienced amateur powerboaters and professional users. It is a two day course and aims to: "teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planning powerboat safely by day and night in tidal coastal waters with which the candidate is familiar ." Individuals considering attending an advanced course should possess their National Powerboat Certificate Level Two (Coastal), be very competent powerboat handlers and have a level of knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of Dayskipper Shorebased certificate (if you are unsure about your capability in this area call us and we can quickly assess this for you). Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your course:

  • Preparation for sea
  • Boat Handling (inc rough water)
  • Passage making
  • Pilotage
  • Meteorology
  • Rules of the road
  • Use of engines
  • Emergency situations
  • Undertaking searches
  • Night cruising

RYA regulations only require a 3:1 pupil to Instructor ratio.

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RYA First Aid

Duration:

1 day

Likely Participants

Our one-day course covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective. It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers, estuaries or on cross channel passages.

In a medical emergency a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives, especially in remote locations. This one-day course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft and to support skippers.

Course Description

The course fulfils the requirements for: professional skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including Boatmasters; the Senior First Aid certificate needed by offshore racers subject to ISAF's regulations on first aid training (OSR 4.08.4). The course is recommended by the MCA and HSE.

The subjects specific to boating include:

  • The recovery position in a confined space
  • CPR, including the drowning protocol
  • Cold shock and hypothermia from immersion and/or exposure
  • Seasickness and dehydration
  • Medical assistance or advice by VHF
  • Helicopter rescue

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