RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling

• Pre-course experience: None
• Duration: 2 days, usually over a weekend with a combination of both-shore based theory session and practical
• Minimum age: 12 (candidates under the age of 16 will be issued with an endorsed certificate)

Launching and recovery, boat handling, securing to a buoy, anchoring, leaving and coming alongside, man overboard, use of the kill cord, high and low speed manoeuvering.

Course supporting book: RYA Start Powerboating Course Notes

An introductory RYA Power boating which covers the following:

• Personal Equipment
• Parts of the boat
• Launching
• Engine checks

Following our introduction you will cover:

• Orientation to the power boat
• Basic controls
• Coming alongside and departing
• Rules of the road
• International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea
• Other Water Users and local bylaws

Out on the water our Instructors will introduce you to:

• Crewing
• Low speed handling and engine trim
• Picking up a mooring buoy, towing
• High speed manoeuvring
• Recovery
• Orientation
• Boat Controls
• Coming alongside and leaving
• Turning in a confined space
• 3 point turns
• Turning in length
• Figure of 8 forward and reverse
• Power Boat Chums Holding station
• Anchoring
• High speed U turns and S turns
• Engine trim
• Securing to a Buoy
• Man over board
• Pilotage with a compass
• and an introduction to GPS
• You will also cover chart work, safety equipment, fire fighting, meteorology, tides, buoyage, basic navigation and pilotage.

After successfully completing this course it is advisable to take the VHF/ SRC radio license.

It highly recommended to take RYA Marine Radio VHF course. VHF course will be useful if you want to do chartering in the future, because you are required to hold a VHF certificate for that purpose. The course is designed and created by RYA, and it will be given online. Once you complete the online course, you will have a 30 minutes exam with us during your stay in Malta. Usually it takes 1-2 days to complete. You can do it before, during, or after the powerboat course.

To book VHF course, simply add it in the Course Booking Page, and we will send you a log-in and instructions after receiving your booking.

• 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.

If you need a flight to Malta International, the airport code is MLA. There is only one airport in Malta.

On arrival at Malta airport, there is a kiosk at the exit from the airport where you can pre pay the taxi to the boat. The cost of this is usually 25 Euro.The taxi drivers speak good English.

Cheaper transport option would be use taxi app such as: Bolt, Ecab, Cool. There are plenty of taxi connected to these apps.

You will have a short safety brief on arrival to familiarise yourself with the boat and meet your crew mates!

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

Having completed this course you should aim to spend a season putting the skills learnt into practice and then return to attend the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course.