The Aim of the course is to teach powerboating up to the standard required to complete a short coastal passage by day.  It is assumed that candidates attending the course will have the knowledge to the standard of the National Powerboat Certificate Level 2, with Coastal Endorsement.

The ratio of students to instructor will not exceed 6:1, using 2 planing boats.  It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and VHF operator’s certificate.


Planning a Day Cruise: the candidate will:

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Navigation
True and magnetic bearings
Bearing and distance
Chart symbols
Tidal diamonds and tidal streams
Use of pilot books
Position lines
Use of marina locks

UNDERSTAND:
Latitude and Longitude
The principles of GPS
Sources of forecast information and the interpretation of forecasts

CAN:
Use a plotting instrument and plot a course to steer (CTS)
Work out tidal heights for standard ports using a tidal curve
Interpret Lateral, Cardinal Bouyage & Special Bouyage Systems (IALA)
Implement IRPCS, in particular rules, 5,7,8,9,13-17,23
Use GPS waypoint navigation and determine Cross Track Error (XTE), Speed Over Ground (SOG), Course Over Ground (COG), Bearing to waypoint (BTW),

Distance to Waypoint (DTW)
Use a laminated chart afloat
Use Pilotage to enter an unfamiliar port by day
Explain how to make a VHF emergency call
PRACTICAL:
Boat Preparation
Boat Handling
Pilotage
Passage Making
Man Overboard

Duration: 2 day
Minimum Age: 16
Certification: RYA G20 powerboat logbook and Intermediate Certificate.
Day Skipper Theory      
RYA Training Courses This course consists of a wide range of subjects needed prior to a beginner taking a vessel to sea e.g. before to the RYA Day

Skipper Practical phase.

TOPICS:
Basic Navigation (including an introduction to GPS)
Chart-work,
Position Fixing
Tidal information
Buoyage
General and Personal Safety
IRPCS (Rule of the Road)
Meteorology
General Planning
Duration: 5 days