WHERE IS THE RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE RUN?
The RYA Diesel Engine Marine Maintenance course is run from;
- Chieftain Training, Woolston, Southampton (fortnightly)
- Chieftain Training, Helensburgh, Scotland (on demand)
- Bespoke course at your location (on demand)
RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE AIMS:
The RNLI tell us that the most common reason for call-outs is machinery failure. Many of these call outs would be avoided if more boat skippers (sail and power alike) had a better understanding of how the engine works and how to;
- carry out regular checks,
- carry out routine maintenance and
- perform basic, “get you home” maintenance
Annex 3 of MGN280 states that commercial sailing vessels operating in category 0 or 1 waters should be manned by someone holding at least RYA Diesel
RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE DURATION:
The RYA Diesel Course has 6 hours of contact/workshop time and typically runs from 0915 to 1615.
RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE PRE REQUISITES:
None. No previous mechanical ability or knowledge of engines is required. You will be surprised at just how straightforward most of the checks, fault finding and adjustments are.

RYA MARINE DIESEL ENGINE MAINTENANCE COURSE CONTENT:
This course teaches you how your diesel engine works, how to keep it healthy by using basic checks and maintenance procedures, and how you might get it started again in the event of a breakdown.
Whether you sail a yacht with an auxiliary diesel engine, are a motor cruising enthusiast or operate a workboat, this course can save you money, and one day could save your life.
Course topics include:
- The four stroke cycle
- Fuel system
- Cooling
- Air system
- Engine electrical system
- Spares and tool requirements
- Winterisation
- Servicing
Students have full access to a range of static marine diesel engines and a large selection of tools in the training room.
INCLUDED
- Day of shorebased training
- Use of our training engines and tools
- RYA Diesel Course Notes
- RYA Diesel Certificate
- Tea & Coffee
- Free parking
NOT INCLUDED
- Lunch
RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE RATIOS:
The RYA requires their centres to have 1 training engine, which can be shared by up-to 6 students and to have one Instructor per 12 students. We smash this requirement on both fronts as we have an extensive range of engines (see below) and our maximum class size is 8, meaning you get more “hands on engine time,” and are not stood around, just watching. We are unaware of any other RYA centre in the world that is as well equipped for this course. While our self imposed maximum class size is 8, the class size is typically 3-6 students and we will run the course with as few as 2 students.
RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE EQUIPMENT (SOUTHAMPTON):
We have equipped our training room with some of the most common marine diesel engines you are likely to come across.
Brand | Horse Power | Size | Model | Typical Usage | Running or Static | RYA Diesel | Level 2 Diesel | Forthcoming AEC Course |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volvo Penta | 18 HP | 2 cylinder | MD 2002 | 24-29 foot sailing yachts | Static | ✅ | ✅ | |
Yanmar | 36 HP | 3 cylinder | 3JH2 | 30-40 foot sailing yachts | Static | ✅ | ✅ | |
Perkins | 135 HP | 6 cylinder | Perkins 635 | Displacement workboats & 55-65 foot sailing yachts | Static | ✅ | ||
Perkins | 175 HP | 6 cylinder | Perkins 6354 | Workboats & motor yachts | Running | ✅ | ✅ | |
Perkins | 175 HP | 6 cylinder | Perkins 6354 | Workboats & motor yachts | Static | ✅ | ✅ | |
Volvo Penta | 200 HP | 6 cylinder | TAMD-B | Work boats & motor yachts | Static | ✅ | ✅ |
Most of the engines are static (i.e. non runners), so you can take them apart and investigate their inner workings and serviceable parts. Our training engines are supported by an extensive workshop tool kit. Don’t worry if your engine is not listed above, the skills you learn with us are transferable to any vaguely modern marine diesel engine.
COURSE EQUIPMENT (HELENSBURGH):
Brand | Horse Power | Size | Model | Typical Usage | Running or Static |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Perkins | 18 HP | 2 cylinder | PK | 24-29 foot sailing yachts | Static |
Norfolk Nanny | 19 HP | 2 cylinder | Canal Boats | Static | |
Yanmar | 29 HP | 3 cylinder | 3YM30 | 30-40 foot sailing yachts | Static |
Our training engines are supported by an extensive workshop tool kit.
HOW LONG IS THE RYA DIESEL ENGINE CERTIFICATE VALID FOR:
The RYA Diesel certificate is valid for life, it does not require revalidation.
BOOKING
If the dates below do not suit you we can set up a bespoke 1:1, 2:1 or group course at a time that suits you, either using our training engines or on your own boat.
WHY CHOOSE CHIEFTAIN TRAINING FOR YOUR RYA DIESEL ENGINE COURSE?
We will run the RYA Diesel course 1:1 or 2:1 on board your boat or as part of a group at our centre. Our training room is well equipped with a variety of training engines and all of the necessary tools.