Fowey Maritime Centre RYA Level 2, National Powerboat Course

RYA Level 2, National Powerboat Course

To teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats.

The course may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planning and displacement, and the certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type(s) of boat in which the training took place. The ratio of students should not exceed 3:1

Duration

2 days

Minimum age

12 years old

Please note:

12-16 year olds will receive the Level 1 certificate which will be endorsed -
"The holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult."

 

SECTION A - Practical boat handling

Launching and Recovery

Knowledge of:

• Use of a trailer or launching trolley
• Consideration of launching and sea condition, 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 & trim, CE plate and manufacturer’s recommendation
• Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way

Understands:

• Crew members: minimum number in high speed craft, keeping a look-out
• Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash
• Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream
• High speed manouveres: planning, trim tabs & power trim
• Planing boats: propeller angle & 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 mooring warp
• Use of a boat hook
• Method of approach
• Crew communication
• Making fast
• Procedure when overshooting

Can:

• Approach and secure to a 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 & warp
• Weighing anchor

Can:

• Approach and anchor correctly
• Weigh anchor correctly

Leaving and coming alongside

Understands:

• Preparation and use of painter, lines & fenders, attachment to boat, stowage underway
• 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 with awareness of propeller
• Approach and recover the man in the water

SECTION B- Theory

Knowledge of:

• Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea keeping ability
• Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin screws, choice and use of fuels
• Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers
• Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis
• Close down procedure
• Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters
• Use and limitations of GPS
• Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
• Sources of weather information

Understands:

• Awareness of other water users
• Communication with other craft – hand and sound signals
• Disabled craft
• Emergency action, preventing sinking
• Adrift – alternative means of propulsion
• Towing and being towed
• Fire precautions and fire fighting
• Distress signals and the Mayday call

Can:

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

SECTION C- Coastal

Knowledge of:

• Pilotage and passage planning
• CG66 Small craft safety scheme

Understands:

• Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
• Tides & tidal streams

Can:

• Use steering and hand bearing compasses
• Apply Section A on coastal waters