RYA Advanced Powerboat

To teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and night in tidal, coastal waters.

Assumed knowledge:

Candidates should be competent and above the standard of National Powerboat Certificate Level 2 (coastal) with knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate. Candidates should hold a First Aid Certificate and a VHF Operators Licence.

Duration: 2 days and part of 1 night

Areas covered:

Section A - Practical

Preparation for sea.

Preparation of powerboat, fuel and engine checks, stowing and securing gear.

Boat handling.

Characteristics of various hull forms and propeller configuration, knowledge of action to be taken in rough weather, understanding correct use of power trims and trim tabs, effects of tide/wind when manoeuvring including steering to transits, turning in tight confined spaces, berthing, picking up moorings etc.

Passage making.

Plans and pilotage for entry into or departure from harbour, use of leading and clearing lines, transits and sounding as an aid to pilotage, high speed navigation and GPS waypoint navigation.

Night cruising.

Powerboating at night, including entering and leaving harbour, special considerations for keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.

Section B - Shorebased

Meteorology.

Sources of forecast information, interpretation of forecasts, terms used in shipping forecasts, including Beaufort Scale and their significance to small craft.

Rules of the road.

Application.

Use of engines. basic engine checks

Emergency situations.

Correct action to be taken in case of: fire, hull damage, medical emergency, VHF emergency, helicopter rescue, use of flares, man overboard and search techniques.