Thank you for choosing Chieftain Training for your powerboat training, we are looking forward to your course and we will do everything we can to make it memorable, interesting, fun and educational. Please take a few minutes to read the pre course information below. These Joining Instructions cover;
- RYA Powerboat Level 1 (1 day)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 (2 day)
- RYA PB2 Direct Assessment (0.5 day or 1 day)
- RYA Safetyboat (2 day)
- RYA Powerboat Intermediate (2 day)
- RYA Powerboat Tender Operator (2 day)
- RYA Powerboat Advanced (2 day)
- RYA Powerboat Advanced COC (2 day)
WHERE
Powerboat courses are run from; Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) and NOT at our other training centre/HQ in Hamble.
WHEN
| Course | Start Time | Finish Time |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1, Level 2, Safetyboat, Intermediate | 0915 | 1645 |
| Tender Operator & Advanced (2 day) | 0915 | Day 1- 4 hours after dusk
Day 2 – mid afternoon |
| Advanced COC Exam Prep (3 day) | Day 1 – 1200 in winter & 1400 when day light saving applies
Day 2 – starts 2 hours earlier Day 3 timings vary |
Typically 4 hours after dusk but times do vary |
PRE REQUISITES
Some of our courses have pre requisites, these are not optional, they are requirements. If you are unsure what they are please check back against the relevant product page/course description (links are provided above), where you originally placed you booking.
PRE COURSE PREPERATION
Level 1, Level 2, Safetyboat & Tender Operator
- None
Intermediate
- Ideally complete the The RYA Essential Navigation and Safety Course or the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
RYA Advanced Powerboat
- Complete the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course
- Learn IRPCS night lights.
RYA Advanced Powerboat COC
- Ensure you have logged the relevant qualifying passages and seatime
- Complete the RYA Exam Application Form (and pre pay your exam fee to them)
- Complete the Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased, SRC and First Aid Courses
- Ensure your radar knowledge is at least the level of RYA Radar
- Refresh Day Shapes, Sound Signals, Night Lights and a working knowledge of the IRPCS.
Useful Pre-Course Reading;
RYA Safetyboat Course
- RYA Safetyboat Hanbook
RYA Intermediate Course
- RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course Notes
- RYA Powerboat Handbook
RYA Advanced Powerboat Course and Advanced COC Exam Prep
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Handbook
- RYA Navigation Hanbook
- RYA Weather Handbook
- Seaman’s Guide to the Rules of the Road
CERTIFICATION
Certification for most courses is issued at the discretion of your Instructor and the Principal. The certificate is usually issued at the end of the course before you leave. All of our courses requite 100% attendance. Advanced powerboat COC exams are certified by RYA HQ, and therefore posted to you after your course/exam.
MEALS
Tea and coffee is included. Meals are not. Please bring a packed lunch for the first day, (there is a bakery, Co-op, Tesco Express and chip shop local to the training centre). Your Instructor will then tell you the plan for subsequent days. Level 2 and Intermediate courses usually eat lunch (not included) in a cafe or pub (no alcohol) for day 2 For those courses involving a night exercise we suggest you bring some money for an evening meal.
SAFETY
For Powerboat courses (other than safetyboat), all adults are provided with 170N life jackets. Children are provide with an appropriately sized Lifejacket. If you would prefer to wear your own life jacket then you may do so. It must be of a minimum 150 Newtons, be well fitting and have been looked after, as per the manufacturers recommendations. For courses involving a night exercise it must be fitted with a light and reflective material.
While we have never yet had a person fall overboard on a Powerboat course there is always a risk this could happen. We advise you therefore to consider wearing a dry suit in the winter months. Sea temperates in Southampton/Solent can drop to below 10C in the months December to May.
SAFETYBOAT COURSE
For RYA Safteyboat courss you will be issued with a bouyancy aid instaed of a life jacket and you will be “getting wet” for some of the rescues. For this reason, wellies, jeans etc are inappropriate and sailing kit (a wetsuit or drysuit) will be far better (see safety-boat course list below).
WHAT TO BRING
- Passport photo of yourself (not required for Level 1, Safetyboat or Intermediate)
- Packed lunch (see “Meals” section above)
- Money for a meal ashore (see “Meals” section above)
- Note pad & pen
- Foul weather gear (or hire ours for £5/day) or drysuit
- Warm clothing (mandatory November to May)
- Warm headwear (mandatory December to May)
- Sailing wellies or footwear that can get wet
- A change of clothes
- Cap, gloves, sunglasses, suncream as appropriate
- Waterproof case for your smart phone (optional)
- RYA Powerboat Logbook (if you would like you miles logged)
Safetyboat Course
- Packed lunch (see “Meals” section above)
- Note pad & pen
- Sailing Kit (or hire our wetsuit & spray top for £5/day)
- Wetsuit boots or footwear that can get wet
- Warm headwear (mandatory December to May)
- A change of clothes
- Cap, gloves, sunglasses, suncream as appropriate
- RYA Powerboat Logbook (if you would like your course logged)
Tender Operator, Advanced Courses & Advanced Exams
- Everything in the “What To Bring List,” above
- Small Torch
- Waterproof sleeve for your passage plan
- Laptop or tablet (if you have one)
- SRC and First Aid certificates (required for the Advanced & COC courses)
- Completed Exam Application Form (required for the Advanced COC exam)
UNDER 18s
Parents or guardians of students aged under eighteen must fill in and sign a medical declaration / consent form for their child prior to the course starting. This is usually done in the morning. If you will not be there to drop off your child, please contact the office for a form in advance. While we encourage junior (8-11 years) and youth (12-15 years) boaters to join a powerboat course we remind you that regardless of any certificate, we believe that the holder should only operate powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult. Some courses have a higher minimum age.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS FOR POWERBOAT LEVEL 2 COURSES
At the end of the course you will be awarded the RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate. We can also cover any of the following.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
By completing the RYA Powerboat Level 2 (or higher) course with us you are automatically eligible for an ICC (power up to 10m, coastal). This is an international pleasure-boat certificate recognised in many (but not all) countries. If you require an ICC we can take care of the paperwork while you are here however you will need;
- An additional passport photograph
- Passport, as proof of nationality
- Proof of residence in the UK if you are from a UN country other than UK, USA, Canada or Holland.
- RYA Membership (this then waives the RYA license fee)
RYA ICC CEVNI Endorsement
Anyone training for the ICC with us will automatically receive the coastal endorsement to their ICC. If you additionally require the inland endorsement (for the inland waterways of Europe) then you will also need to take the CEVNI test (not included). The RYA book of CEVNI rules is essential pre course reading if you intend to also take the CEVNI test. The test can be taken online or with us at the centre.
RYA/MCA Commercial Endorsement
If you require the Level 2 certificate or Advanced COC for commercial purposes this is effectively a rubber stamping process for which the RYA charge a commercial endorsement fee. To commercially endorse your level 2 pr advanced COC you will also need;
- RYA First Aid (1-day)
- RYA Sea Survival Certificate (1-day)
- RYA Personal Practices and Responsibilities (online course)
- ML5 medical completed by your GP
- RYA Short Range Certificate (1-day or online course)
DIGITAL FIRST
At all levels of powerboat training we encourage students to use digital resources. If you have an in-date subscription to Navionics or similar (on your smart phone or tablet) you will usually be able to integrate your device with our Multi Function Display (Chart plotter) onboard the RIB.