powerboat level 2 syllabus

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RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling

RYA powerboat courses are primarily for those using small powered craft such as RIBs, dories and sportsboats that don't generally undertake long or offshore passages.

The types of commercial craft requiring this level certification are typically: charter fishing boats, small passenger launches, thrill ride operators, harbour patrol launches, construction site safety boats etc.

If you will be using larger boats with accommodation and the capacity to cruise or work further offshore you are likely to need a certificate within the motor cruising programme such as Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore.

If you need a Level 2 Powerboat Handling certificate in order to work on a commercial craft subject to the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed . You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 6 waters - that is up to 3 miles from a nominated departure point in fine weather and daylight hours.

• Professional qualifications
• powerboat-level-2

RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling

RYA powerboat courses are primarily for those using small powered craft such as RIBs, dories and sportsboats that don't generally undertake long or offshore passages.

The types of commercial craft requiring this level certification are typically: charter fishing boats, small passenger launches, thrill ride operators, harbour patrol launches, construction site safety boats etc.

If you will be using larger boats with accommodation and the capacity to cruise or work further offshore you are likely to need a certificate within the motor cruising programme such as Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore.

If you need a Level 2 Powerboat Handling certificate in order to work on a commercial craft subject to the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed . You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 6 waters - that is up to 3 miles from a nominated departure point in fine weather and daylight hours.

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats

Duration: 2 Days

Time: 9am to 5pm

Group Size: 3 per boat

Min Age: From 12

Price: £370 to £380

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Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - General

The RYA Level Two course is our most popular course and the two days over which it is run gives plenty of time for both practical instruction and theory. Whilst at first glance the syllabus appears very similar to the level one course the extra time available makes a real difference to the depth in which subjects are covered and therefore the amount a student can learn.

Prior experience

No prior boating experience is necessary. The course equally suits those new to boating and those who have been boating for years. Most people take Level 2 and bypass Level 1. You do not need to already have Level 1 before you take Level 2.

Course Duration

2 days from 9am to 5pm.

Instructor – student ratio

3 students to 1 Instructor and boat. We often run 2-3 boats per course, the benefit being you get to use different boats and benefit from the interaction with other students. You often will find that you learn as much from watching another student execute a manoeuvre as you do from doing it yourself.

Minimum Age

We are generally happy for a child over 12 to attend a course with their parent/guardian on our boats at any time – please call to discuss. Children over 16 can attend a normal course at any time but we must have the parent/guardian’s specific permission – please call to discuss. If you want a child of under 16 to attend on their own then they must attend one of our dedicated Children’s Courses see the  Children’s Courses section.

Why choose Powerboat Training UK for your Powerboat Level 2 course?

Our boats ~ with two 7.8m Ribcrafts as our main teaching boats we have invested considerably so that you get to use quality kit in great condition. Each RIB is fully equipped for training up to Advanced level and are fitted with Icom and Garmin electronics.

Our location and teaching facilities ~ Poole Harbour is a truly amazing teaching location – so much so that the RNLI and the Royal Marines base their training operations here. Our classrooms are well resourced, professional, clean and tidy.

Likewise our base in Lymington at Aquasafe Powerboat School is at Lymington Yacht Haven which like Cobbs Quay is a large marina with a huge range of craft. Our classrooms are well resourced, clean and professional.

Our Instructors ~ we ensure that our instructors are teaching 100% ‘Best Practice’ and have a process whereby we constantly review their sessions to ensure that you get the most productive experience from your time with us. All teach because they love boating and we work with them to constantly ‘upskill’ their qualifications and experience.

Our history ~ we started the school over twenty years ago and have grown a reputation for delivering on our promises. Our clients range from individuals with their own craft to organisations such as Sunseeker, the RNLI and we were awarded the RYA Training contract by Dorset Police for the London 2012 Olympic events in Weymouth.

What is included in the course price? ~ when you undertake your Level 2 Course on our boats then the price you pay includes Fuel (often charged as extra at the end of courses by schools), and free use of waterproofs (once again often charged as an extra) plus of course free parking. Price includes VAT too – yet another common extra.

Ooops – almost forgot!. Included in the course price you also get the RYA Start Powerboating book and can purchase a copy of the new updated RYA Powerboat Handbook for the reduced price of £15.

Does the course price represent good value? ~ remember in life you pretty much get what you pay for. We don’t pretend to be the cheapest but the course will be on well maintained first rate craft, and run by instructors guaranteed to teach current best practice. We have great facilities in a large marina offering a great all-round experience. Check out the other relevant pages on this website to see what we mean.

Course prices The higher price quoted in the ‘Key Course Details’ section above is the price per head for 1 person, for 2 persons the per head cost reduces by 2.5% and for three people by 5%. The price shown is inclusive of VAT.

If you are interested in training on your own boat then follow this link – Powerboat Level 2 on your boat

Some of the offers available when buying this course include…..

Special Offer No 1!!

If you sign up to the VHF course when you book your Level 2 then the VHF Course will be significantly discounted to only £90 (including course pack). (Usual cost is £120, you also need to pay the RYA Fee which is £70). Alternatively you can choose the Online version of the VHF course for £70 – you will still need to come in for the assessment. We run VHF Courses every two weeks so fitting you in will never be an issue – we run these courses in Poole.

Special Offer No 2!!

We also offer the opportunity to book the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course for £110 when booked alongside a Powerboat Level 2 course. This is a great course to develop your understanding of charts, tides, buoyage and navigation onto the next level after the course.

Updated Aug 24

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - The Course

The RYA Powerboat level 2 course is aimed both at those new to boating and those that have boated a while that want to improve their boat handling.

Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your time with him/her:

• Boat Handling including in confined spaces
• Approaching and securing to a mooring buoy
• Leaving and coming alongside
• Handling a boat at planing speed
• Man overboard
• Launching & recovery
• Navigation to include charts, tides, buoyage
• Undertaking a passage
• The ‘Collision regulations’

The vast majority of the time on this course is spent on the water and out of the classroom.

The time that you do spend in on theory will cover: the types of craft and their respective advantages/disadvantages; engines & drives; use of power tilt & trim tabs; safety checks; personal buoyancy; awareness of other water users; application of the collision regulations (IRPCS); local bylaws; towing and being towed; communication with other craft; emergency action; distress signals; fire precautions and fire fighting and rope work.

On the second day of the course we spend time looking at charts, tides, buoyage and using a compass. Using these skills we then prepare a short pilotage plan and execute it to put into practice the skills developed it in the classroom.

Essentially day one of the course is aimed at developing your ability to competently handle the craft in close quarter situations whilst day two develops the ability to navigate and then puts this into practice ensuring you have the ability to undertake short inshore passages.

Once you have reached the standard at which we can award the Level 2 certificate should you wish you can go on to apply for your ICC from the RYA. The relevant form can be downloaded ( here ) which coupled with a photo and a copy of your certificate will get you your licence. If you are a member of the RYA then your ICC is free else it costs approximately £45. Coincidently joining the RYA costs about the same so we would generally advise that you join then get the ICC free. If you intend travelling abroad shortly after your course and thus require your ICC to be issued quickly we advise that you join the RYA a few weeks before your course and then call the relevant department to try to ensure a quick turnaround for your application my own only took a week.

In certain situations the Level 2 certificate can be attained without attending the full course. This is known as Direct Assessment and takes half a day. (Call us if you feel that your experience is suitable and you are interested in this way of obtaining Level 2).

A further consideration when attending a level 2 course is where you take it. Although coastal endorsements no longer exist, training at a busy coastal location such as Poole Harbour can be incredibly beneficial when you are boating elsewhere. Generally speaking if you intend using your boat in coastal waters ensure that you undertake a course with a coastal school.

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - This course is aimed at

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course appeals to a wide variety of individuals from those new to powerboating to those who may have boated for many years.

Some examples of the sorts of people that the Level 2 course is best suited to:

• Those new to boating keen to ensure that as they start boating they are doing it right. The course focuses on ensuring that you develop a really good base understanding of boat handling, navigation and seamanship. After the course you can then bolt on more practical experience to really cement the knowledge gained on the course.
• Those keen to boat overseas and want to achieve their International Certificate of Competence (‘ICC’) undertake the Level 2 course which then allows them to apply for the ICC using a copy of their Level 2 certificate.
• Those who have boated a while but never received any formal training. Level 2 ensures that you will carry on but doing it the ‘right way’ ensuring that you use the most efficient methods and with a good understanding of the ‘building blocks’ of boating. Many of the people falling into this camp tend to wonder before a course how much they will gain from the course as they have been boating so long yet after the course wonder why they never did it sooner. Indeed for some it really reinvigorates their boating leading them to seek out new places to go with a greater confidence.
• For those thinking about buying a boat the course serves as a great way to become a more educated buyer. Our bases in Poole and Lymington are in large marinas so you will be able to see a huge number of craft during your time with us. Being around so many boats and able to discuss the pros and cons of the various styles with the Instructors really helps when it comes to assessing the huge number of craft out there to buy.

The course is relevant whether you have your own boat or don’t ever intend owning your own craft.

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - Syllabus

Aim:  “To teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. Minimum age 12, those aged 12 to 16 will receive a Level 2 Certificate endorsed “The holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.”

Please note (From PTUK): The vast majority of time on the course is spent on the water boat handling. Therefore the volume of text dedicated to the topics below should not be taken to indicate the time spent on each of these areas.

Within the RYA Powerboat Scheme the course contents of each course are taught to one of three levels. These levels are:

Knowledge of:  The subject will be briefly explained. Familiarisation during the course and where to find out more after the course.

Understands:  The subject will be covered in greater depth and you will be asked to demonstrate a basic understanding and go away from the course able to develop your own skill in this area.

Can:  The subject will be covered in great depth, including background theory, demonstrations by the instructor and repeated practice by yourself until you can demonstrate good skills in the subject.

Launch & recovery Knowledge of:

• Use of a trailer or launching trolley
• Consideration of launching and sea conditions, 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
• Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board
• Prepare to go afloat
• Tie relevant knots

Boat Handling Knowledge of:

• Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE Plate and manufacturer’s recommendation
• Handling characteristics of displacement boats, rudder steered craft and shaft driven vessels

Understands:

• Crew members: minimum number in faster craft, keeping a look-out
• The importance of boat control in waves and adequate seating to minimise the possibility of back injury
• Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash
• Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream
• Handling a boat at planing speed, trim tabs and power trim
• Planing boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, planing and displacement speed handling, tiller/console steering
• 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

Securing to a buoy Understands:

• Preparation of mooring warp
• Use of a boat hook
• Direction of approach
• Taking way off
• Crew communication
• Making fast
• Procedure when overshooting
• Approach and secure to buoy

Anchoring Knowledge of:

• Types of anchor
• Stowage and attachment to boat
• Preparation of anchor, chain and warp
• Weighing anchor
• Correct approach in various conditions
• Check holding
• Depth of water, holding ground, scope required
• Approach and anchor correctly
• Weigh anchor correctly

Leaving and coming alongside Understands:

• Preparation and use of lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way
• Speed and angle of approach
• Wind effect
• Method of approach in tidal stream or current
• Make fast alongside
• Use springs
• Leave – ahead or astern

Man overboard Knowledge of:

• Recovery or man overboard
• Cold shock and immersion hypothermia
• How and when to raise the alarm
• Take immediate action
• Observe the man overboard
• Carry out the correct return with awareness of propeller
• Approach and recover the ‘man’ in the water (Small weighted buoy to be used)
• Demonstrate both drift down and into wind approach method
• Switch engine off

Knowledge of:

• Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea keeping  ability
• Seating arrangements
• Stepped hulls
• 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/Chartplotters
• Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
• Sources of weather information
• Awareness of other water users
• Communication with other craft
• Disabled craft
• Emergency action, preventing sinking
• Adrift – alternative means or propulsion
• Actions to be taken by disabled craft and being towed
• Fire precautions and fire fighting
• Distress signals, means of issuing distress, DSC and the Mayday call
• Advice for vessels in restricted visibility
• Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5, 7, 8, 9, 12-18
• Byelaws and local regulatins
• Boat registration schemes
• Pilotage and passage planning
• Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
• Tides and tidal streams
• Use steering and hand bearing compasses.
• Undertake practical handling on tidal waters

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - Reviews

Whatever we may think of our courses what really counts is what others think, below are a selection of comments taken directly from the Feedback Forms that we ask are filled in at the end of each course.

I’m now back in London after this fantastic time in Bournemouth and Poole. Thank you to the entire team for the welcome and the quality of content delivered! Marc

Hi – thanks so much for loaning us Brian for the last 2 days. I wanted to feedback how incredibly dedicated and detailed he was. He has nerves of steel which I fear me and the kids must have tested to the absolute limit. He remained calm, jolly and resolute throughout. Well done Brian – we learned loads. With my best wishes, Sarah

I just want to say thank you so much for a great course for the boys last weekend. Even in the rain they loved it. Sammy is a great teacher and Viv organised everything perfectly. They have already been raving about it to their friends so you may be getting more bookings! Thanks so much.. Justin

Absolutely loved it. I genuinely can’t stress enough how great John was. My girlfriend and I have both now explained to our respective parents how lucky we were to have had him all to ourselves. An unbelievable weekend with a lifelong skill at the end of it, made even more special by the fun, informative and patient captain we had on boards. A million thank yous! Xander

PAUL was brilliant. Very calm and he gave reassuring instructions. You didn’t really feel you were learning and then you just realised you could control your boat. I would recommend this training to anyone getting into motor boats or even up sizing. It is well worth the time and money. Jim

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel encouraged to learn more starting with the online navigation course. Rupert

Paul was fantastic I would definitely use you again! Andy

We would just like to say thank you for the great service and care you and your team delivered to us during our 2 day Power Boat level 2 training. Thank you to Tony for explaining everything so well, keeping us safe and being so patient, he is a credit to Powerboat Training UK. When the time is right we will be back for more training in the near future as we have the power boat bug. Frank and Joanna

Just a quick e-mail to thank you for a great couple of days I had completing the level 2 course over the weekend. Having going from not knowing a thing about boating to knowing a whole lot more! As I am looking to buying my first boat I found the information given go a long way to vastly increase my confidence on the water. Please also would you pass on my sincere thanks to Robin, who was my instructor for the two days, I found his guidance and patience made me feel relaxed and at ease, and his knowledge of boaty things made learning fun! Looking forward to more training when i get my first boat. Mark

Thanks Viv, the level 2 course was brilliant and as I’m sure you already know, Robin made it, he is a great guy and is a huge asset to your operation. I don’t praise people who just do their job, but Robin went the extra mile, fantastic guy. George

Just wanted to let you know what an excellent 2 days I’ve just enjoyed at Lymington on the Powerboat Level 2 course with Philip! The course content and pace was just perfect and Philip presented it in a very knowledgeable and enjoyable way. It has certainly given me the best possible introduction to Powerboats. I’m already looking forward to the VHF course next Saturday! Also, wanted to thank you both for your patience and understanding in providing me with an alternative course following my personal issues. David

We completed our Powerboat level 2 course over the weekend and all 3 of us enjoyed ourselves immensely as well as learning a great deal. Would you please pass on our sincere thanks to both Paul and Phillip who were both excellent teachers and very patient with us whilst we struggled to learnt about something that was totally new to us. Their understanding & knowledge made the whole process a lot easier! Bernard

IT WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT! I can’t tell you how nice Robin is as a coach and person he made the whole thing so enjoyable and the knowledge we both walked away with has set us up perfectly. I can’t speak highly enough of Aquasafe and the whole set up. Elizabeth was dreading it but came away really happy and pleased she did it. I think Robin played a massive part in making Elizabeth feel safe and gave her confidence. Two great days of learning and I will be recommending to my friends and family. Thank you so so much and hope to see you soon when I get some time to book up the other courses. Joshua

On behalf of myself and everyone who attended the course over the last couple of days, I just wanted to say thank you very much. Everyone was impressed with the instruction and the course as a whole. Arron

Just to say thank you very much for Saturday, we both enjoyed it and got a lot out of the training. I am hoping we will have some opportunities to put it into practice over the next few weeks. Thanks for your help, I hope we can come back and do some more training before too long. Alison

Hello Viv. A quick note while I remember to say thank you for organizing the course for James and I. We enjoyed it very much and Alan was very professional and affable. I feel very confident now to take a boat out and also realize how little I knew and also how little I still know! Sammy is a very pleasant young man too. All Best Wishes. Mark

I completed my PB level 2 course over the weekend under Anthony. The course was great and very well delivered, so I offer strong complements to the company and to Anthony as an individual. Sam

Hello there. I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you for the Powerboat Level 2 course in Lymington last Thursday and Friday, that myself, my son Sonny and my father, Dave completed – even despite the hilariously horrendous weather on Friday! Our instructor, Philip, was absolutely brilliant with all three of us. Very professional, patient, knowledgeable, kind and great company; he pitched the course content brilliantly well for both the 12 year old level and the 71 year old level and everything in between! Please pass on my greatest thanks to Philip and looking forward to getting lots of practice in and doing some future courses with you. With warmest wishes Juliette

Hi Viv Just to let you know how fantastic we thought the training was and how useful it has proved to be. Olly was skippering our Boston Whaler on Saturday on his own and the engine cut out near Old Harry. He had to make an emergency call to the coastguard after doing all the the things he had been trained to do on the course. He didn’t panic, he carried out checks and eventually made it to Swanage where the coastguard met him and we got Sea Start to him. Between them they worked out what the problem was and he ended up racing Sea Start back to Studland 🙂 The incident is mentioned in the Echo today. He kept in touch with us by phone and we didn’t panic either because we knew he was confident and able to handle the situation. All the adults he came into contact with were really impressed with the way he handled himself and the boat. So – thank you – and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this course to anyone, whatever their age. Cheers, Julie x

“Hi Viv, just to say thanks for providing Paul for our course. He took us from complete novices to competent power boat handlers. He was also brilliant with our 15 year old son Lyall. So many thanks for the course.” Best wishes Mandy

“I would like to thank the team very much for a most enjoyable Level 2 Course. Paul, Dom and Nye created a great atmosphere in the classroom and on the boats and did a great job of getting everyone to work as a team. Questions were encouraged and no-one was made to feel out of place for asking – Paul came to my assistance when I couldn’t quite fathom how to get the lifejacket on and even managed to keep a straight face! Dom took our group of three for the practical sessions and really made the course come alive. His enthusiasm for powerboats clearly rubbed off and I have now decided to get a RIB! Our group didn’t have a lot of experience with handling boats before and Dom was great at seeing where we were going wrong and adjusting the pace to suit our needs. I would definitely recommend Powerboat Training UK to anyone considering getting on the water, even with little or no experience. I look forward to taking my Intermediate Course at some point in the future after I’ve practiced what I’ve learnt a bit more.” Martin

“Just wanted to write to thank you for a great course at the weekend. Alyn was incredibly patient and responded to our million and one questions with enthusiasm every time. Before buying a boat I had never realised that there were so many things to think about and now a few days on I really struggle to see how we would have managed to boat safely without doing the course.” Joe & Ann (and son Ben) after spending two days with Paul and their new 28ft Bayliner sportscruisier.

“Thanks for taking the extra time with us at weekend to help us ensure we could do the launch and recovery part of boating during our Level 2 course. It was really helpful to do it a couple of times during the weekend and if you are okay with it we will take you up on your offer of assistance the next time we come down to launch.” Jon after spending a couple of days undertaking Level 2 with his 7m RIB where we dedicated specific time to practicing launch and recovery with his vehicle/trailer/boat to ensure it was handled safely and he was happy with the process.

“I enjoyed all aspects of both theory and practical work, there was lots of time on the water giving me plenty of the time at the helm. Good student to Instructor ratio.” Stephen commenting on his Level 2 course.

“I enjoyed all aspects of the course, a great friendly Instructor who covered everything in brilliant detail. I got plenty of practice at everything and he answered every question I had.” Mike commenting on his Level 2 course.

“Great instruction, clear concise theoretical work and good practical. Overall brilliant – great Instructors.” Charles commenting on his Level 2 course.

“Gave me confidence to go boating.” Mario commenting on his Level 2 course

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - Gallery

Powerboat Level 2 – on our boats - Book Now

Thank you for your interest in this course.

Hopefully the dates that we have scheduled work well with your availability. If the dates don’t quite work then we are always keen to be as flexible as possible so please contact us and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re always really keen to chat to you when you’re booking a course as whilst we are happy to take bookings through this system for your convenience – nothing beats chatting about boats and courses!

Don’t forget too that if you are an individual or company/organisation booking a few people onto courses then we may be able to schedule dates around you. Equally, for bookings some time in the future we can usually juggle our course dates if what we have scheduled doesn’t quite work for you.

For information… When you make a booking using this system please be aware that we allocate you the places but the booking is provisional and subject to confirmation. We will review your booking and then you will receive a payment request from us, the payment you make will secure your place. You will receive confirmation from us at the latest during the next business day. For all courses we have a minimum required number for the course to go ahead.

Also… We have an automatic cutoff built into this system that doesn’t allow you to book within 48 hours of the course starting. We may still have places though – use the contact button to alert us to your interest.

And finally… Once you have finished the process you will receive a variety of emails. If you do not get any then please check your spam folder and if there is nothing there then please let us know.

Get in touch

Where to find us...

Powerboat Training UK Ltd, The Slipway, Cobbs Quay Marina, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL

T: 01202 686666 E: [email protected]

Aquasafe Powerboat School, Lymington Yacht Haven, Kings Saltern Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3QD

T: 01590 678809 E: [email protected]

Marine Education, Port of Poole Marina, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HJ

T: 01202 406066 E: [email protected]

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