Do you lack confidence in taking out a small motorboat by yourself? This is the course for you. This course provides a simple one day introduction to boating techniques, beginning with pre-start checks, launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, to everyday boat handling, and the provision and use of safety equipment. The minimum age is 8 years, and the course carries certification, however candidates under the age of 16 will be issued with an endorsed certificate.

Course Content:

Preparation

• Launching and recovering
• Safety Equipment
• Pre Start Checks

Boat Handling

• Starting and stopping
• Use of Kill cord
• Steering controls, Securing to a Buoy
• Leaving and Coming along side
• Being towed

Theory and Background

• IRPCS (International Regulation for the Prevention of Collision at Sea)
• Ropework
• Awareness of other water users

Pre course ability required: must be over 8 years old

A one day course run on Wednesdays.

This is the National Powerboat Certificate, the driving license of the powerboating world, and our most popular course. This exciting course provides you with the skills and background knowledge required to become a competent powerboat driver.

The busy working harbours of Falmouth and surrounding waters of the Carrick Road give you the opportunity to navigate around them making this a thoroughly demanding and enjoyable course. If you can spare the time this is a must do.

This is also the gateway for all the varied disciplines in the Watersports industry, including Canoe/Kayak umpire, Ski Boat Driver, Life Savers and Dive boat drivers, or just to be able to take the family out for a safe day on the water. You will also learn about types of craft and engine, along with maintenance checks, weather forecasts and emergency action. This is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence.

Course Content:

Preparation

• Launching and recovering
• Safety Equipment
• Pre Start Checks
• Fuel Tank
• Line and Fenders

Boat Handling

• Starting and stopping
• Effects of current or tide
• High and Low Speed Manoeuvring
• Propeller control
• Anchoring
• Man overboard
• Use of Kill cord
• Steering controls, Securing to a Buoy
• Leaving and Coming along side
• Being towed
• Basic knowledge of GPS

Theory and Background

• Types of Craft and Engines
• Weather
• Maintenance Checks
• Emergency Action
• IRPCS (International Regulation to Prevent Collision at Sea)
• Ropework
• Awareness of other water users

Pre course ability required: must be over 12 years old. Children under 16 years will be issued with an endorsement

A two day course run every Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, Saturday – Sunday

Please contact the school if you require other days

It takes one short phone call or email for you to book this brilliant course – it will be one giant leap in your boating skills and knowledge of navigation.

Two days of planning and adventure. The outstanding natural beauty of the Fal Estuary, and all of its creeks are your playground. The course covers both the theory and practice of pilotage and passage planning during the day on these beautiful coastal waters, using traditional and electronic navigation techniques. During this course you will also learn about berthing in various situations, and the effect of rough sea conditions.

Course Content:

Preparation

• Fuel and Engines Checks

Boat Handling

• Effects of waves and rougher conditions
• Power trim and trim tabs
• Berthing in differing situations
• Use of GPS in High speed navigation and pilotage by day

Theory and Background

• Meteorology
• Emergency Action
• IRPCS Rules
• Pilotage
• Navigation

Pre course ability required: minimum age 16, candidates must be up to standard of Powerboat Level 2 Coastal

It is advised that you have your first Aid and VHF before taking part in this course

A two day course run every Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, Saturday – Sunday

This course is not to be taken lightly; it is designed for leisure and professional skippers wanting to undertake more adventurous trips in small powerboats. Following on from the intermediate course, this will enhance your skills in running and participating in search patterns, dealing with emergency situations, advanced manoeuvring in adverse sea conditions, passage planning for day and night passages using chart plotters, radars and traditional methods.

This is a real chance to see what the sea looks like lit up, or not, as the case may be! If you have the requisite skills listed below then you can go straight to this level.

Course Content:

Preparation

• Passage Planning
• Meteorology
• Skipper’s Responsibilities

Boat Handling and Manoeuvres

• High Speed Boat Handling
• Advanced Manoeuvres
• Manoeuvres in rough weather
• Chart Plotting on Radar
• Pilotage by day and night
• Man overboard
• Use of Kill cord
• Emergency Situations
• Differences of Twin Engines
• Search Paterns

Pre course ability required: minimum age 17. Candidates should be competent to a higher standard than NPC level 2 (coastal) with knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate. You will require your VHF licence and First Aid before starting this course.

A two day course run every Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, Saturday – Sunday

Please contact the school if you require other days

This is a Department of Trade exam, for those of you who want to become Professional Skippers on commercially coded vessels. If you have passed your Advanced Powerboat course, or have the ability to the same standard and want to commercialise your qualification, this is the course for you.

You will be tested on your ability to navigate by day and night using traditional and electrical methods, crew management and boat handling.

After completing this exam you can apply for your commercial endorsement for your Advanced Skippers qualification, and be qualified to Skipper commercially coded vessels up to 24 metres in length, and up to 25 miles from a safe haven.

Pre course ability required: minimum age 17. Candidates should be competent to a higher standard of the RYA Advanced Powerboat.

If you already have your Advanced Powerboat Certificate before starting this exam you will need 20 days, 2 day and night passages, 400 miles, 12 night hours as skipper, ML5 or ENG1 Medical and your RYA Sea Survival.

If you don’t have the Advanced Powerboat Certificate before starting this exam you must have at least 30 days experience, including 2 days night passages, 800 miles and 12 hours at night. You will need your VHF licence and First Aid, ML5 or ENG1 Medical and your RYA Sea Survival.

This exam is run as required

Please contact the school for more information.

Designed for those who use powerboats to provide support and safety cover for Watersports such as, sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Ideal for Sailing Club or Yacht Club volunteers, as well as anybody wishing to improve their driving skills.

This course includes search and rescue techniques, different methods of recovery, and towing of a variety of craft, and of course, most importantly, the safe recovery of people, including methods for lifting heavy casualties. Elements of race management and mark laying are included.

Pre course ability required: must have completed the Powerboat Level 2, be over 16, and have at least one sessions experience and a basic knowledge of sailing boats.

Course Content:

Preparation

• Safety Equipment
• Assistance with Race Management
• Crew Communication

Boat Handling

• Positioning in respect to Fleet
• Standing off another craft
• Coming along side underway
• Dinghy (including high performance) and Windsurfers rescue
• Towing
• Mark Laying

Theory and Background

• Meteorology
• Emergency Action
• IRPCS Rules
• Rescue of other water users
• Communication
• Use of VHF and First Aid

A two day course run every Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, Saturday – Sunday

You already have powerboat experience as an RYA dinghy Instructor or through years of recreational sport. Now is the time for you to pass your knowledge of powerboating on to others. Powerboating as a sport has grown enormously over the last few years, and the demand for Watersports centres and sailing clubs to provide this training is long overdue.

As always, we intend to provide a training course that conforms to all RYA standards, but also adds an extra dimension. A wide range of craft will be at your disposal to learn the necessary skills to teach others. Coded ribs, Displacement craft with inboard diesel engines, and small but fast tiller-steered support craft will all be available.

Pre course ability required: you must be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of 5 years, or 2 full seasons powerboat experience, preferably in both planning and displacement craft.

Please ring the school for more details

If you have just bought a boat and would like one of our experienced instructors to come out with you for a half day tuition session or until you are feeling happy and safe with your boat. All courses can be taken in your own boat and on a one to one basis.

This is of high demand – please contact the school for more information.

Pre course ability required: none.

A two day course run every Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday, Saturday – Sunday

This is The International Certificate of Competence, the driving license of the powerboating world. In Europe you have to have this certificate to be able drive a boat in Europe.

Pre course ability requires: must be over 12 years. Children under 16 years will be issued with an endorsement.

This course is run every Wednesday and Saturday