RYA Level 1 Start Powerboating

• Pre-course experience: None
• Duration: 1 days
• Minimum age: 8. Certificates for under 16s will be endorsed as ‘qualified under the supervision of a responsible adult’. Under 18`s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Launch and recovery, preparation of boat and crew, boat handling, pick up and securing to a mooring buoy, leaving and coming alongside, being towed.

Course supporting book: RYA Start Powerboating Course Notes

Aim: To provide a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats.

• Launch and recovery
  Consdierations to be taken during the launch
  The use of a trailer or launching trolley
  Considerations to be taken regarding sea conditions and hazards
  Construction, width and condition of ramp/slipway
  
• Preparation of boat and crew
  Personal buoyancy and appropriae clothing
  The use of the following equipment: lines, fenders, anchor and warp, bailer, fire extinguisher, pump, paddles or oars, compass, flares, torch, whistle, charts, first aid kit, sharp knife.
  Perform the following: fasten a cleat and stow an anchor
  
• Boat handling
  Planning of boats: propeller angle and immersion, use of shallow drive
  Low speed handling: ahead and astern
  Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way in neutral
  How to carry out pre-start checks, including fuel tank and fuel bulb
  Steering controls and windage
  Steer and control boat speed
  Start and stop the engine
  Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times
  
• Picking up and securing to a mooring buoy
  Preparation of mooring warps
  Use of a boat hook
  Method of approach
  Crew communication
  Making fast
  
• Leaving and coming alongside
  Wind effect
  Approach in tidal stream or current
  Leaving - ahead or astern
  Demonstrste the use of painter, lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way
  Control speed and angle approach
  Make fast alongside
  
• Being towed
  Preparing own lines for towing
  Accepting a tow
  Securing tow lines
  Trim and balance under tow
  
• Theory
  Loading and balancing the boat and the effect on handling and performance
  Local byelaws and insurance
  Crew numbers: minimum number in the boat, keeping a look-out
  Awareness of other water users, inclusing effect of wash
  Application or IRPCS. Understands rules 5 & 6, and conduct around commercial shipping in confined waters
  

• Sunglasses
• High factor sun cream
• Soft shoes with a non marking sole
• Shorts (Please be aware that these are liable to get dirty or wet, so not your best ones!)
• T-Shirts
• Fleece or jumper for the evenings and windy days at sea
• Light long sleeved shirt if you need to cover up in the sun
• Baseball/sun hat (preferably with a clip to stop it blowing overboard!)
• Sea sickness tablets should you need them
• And above all, enthusiasm!

Please note that the temperatures in Malta are normally very warm during the day but it can be cold in the evenings and windy days at sea. It is a good idea to bring a small light rain mac if you have one and also a pair of long trousers and a warm fleece, just in case.

For more details about course, booking, and certificate, please refer to the FAQ's section.