RYA Advanced Powerboat Course, Prep & Exam
The RYA Advanced Powerboat course is for anyone looking to undertake more adventurous trips, and for professional boaters add on the exam for the Certificate of Competence to be able to operate a commercial vessel or workboats further offshore in the hours of darkness. The commercial limitations are; Category 3, up to 20 miles from a safe haven.
Description
Coastal navigation by night.
The RYA Advanced Powerboat course is for anyone looking to undertake more adventurous trips, and for professional boaters add on the exam for the Certificate of Competence to be able to operate a commercial vessel or workboats further offshore in the hours of darkness. The commercial limitations are; Category 3, up to 20 miles from a safe haven.
It includes navigation by day and night, weather and other aspects of skippering a small vessel on more challenging passages in coastal waters. Anybody undertaking this course should have the practical skills to the level of the RYA Intermediate powerboat course and theory knowledge to the level of the RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster shorebased course.
Students taking the RYA Advanced Powerboat course must hold a VHF/SRC radio operators certificate and a valid first aid certificate.
Acceptable certificates include the STCW Elementary First Aid, RYA First Aid Certificate, First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea or any other certificate issued on completion of a course which is a minimum of one day's duration, recognised by the Health and Safety Executive which includes the treatment of hypothermia, cold shock and drowning. However for a commercial endorsement there are only 3 first aid courses accepted; RYA First Aid, Sea Fish first aid, or STCW Elementary First Aid
The first two days concentrate on the RYA Advanced Powerboat Course which if successful candidates achieve the Course Completion certificate. The course covers topics such as preparation for sea, boat handling, passage making and the responsibility of the skipper, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, use of different types of engine, emergency situations and night cruising. The course is demanding, challenging, but also very rewarding when you successfully complete a task, or from understand any errors that have occurred.
Day 3 the focus is on preparation for the exam, polishing your skills and navigation techniques ready for the RYA examiner to start the exam late afternoon. Successful candidates will be awarded the Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence which is required if you wish to use this qualification commercially as well as a commercial endorsement.
As the course and exam require a meaningful amount of time to navigate a vessel in the hours of darkness, we are limited to running these courses between September and April.
About this course and exam.
Duration: 3 days (2 day course, followed by 1 day prep & exam).
Minimum age: 17
Ability after the course: Execute coastal trips and return to a familiar port by night or if using it commercially, working up to 20 miles from a safe haven during the day and night
Suitable for: Adults who are wishing to explore the coastline and offshore islands, or who may have to operate a boat by night.
Student to instructor Ratio: 3:1
Exam fee: This is extra and not included in the course fee, it can either be paid directly to the RYA via their online exam payment system or added to your basket for us to pay on your behalf during the booking process.
Recommended: RYA Advanced Powerboat Handbook - G108 (not included)
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the Advanced Powerboat exam you will need:
- Theory knowledge to Coastal/Yachtmaster Level
- VHF/SRC Radio Operator Licence
- Valid and in date First Aid certificate (less than 3 years for RYA or 5 years for STCW)
Minimum Sea Time:
Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing powerboat in the last 10 years:
- 30 days at sea, which may be reduced to 20 days at sea if an RYA Advanced Powerboat course completion certificate is held;
- 2 days as skipper;
- 800 miles, which may be reduced to 400 miles if an RYA Advanced Powerboat Course completion certificate is held;
- 12 night hours.