RYA Advanced Powerboat

This course is for leisure and professional boaters waiting to undertake more adventurous trips or operate a commercial powerboat further offshore in hours of darkness.

It includes navigation by day and night, weather and other aspects of skippering a small boat on more challenging passages in coastal waters. Anybody undertaking this course must have the practical skills of the Intermediate course and knowledge of navigation to at least the standard of the Day Skipper shorebased course.

Students taking the Advanced course must hold a VHF/SRC operators certificate and a first aid certificate. Acceptable certificates include the RYA's First Aid Certificate, First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea or any other certificate issued on completion of a course which is a minimum of one day's duration, recognised by the Health and Safety Executive which includes the treatment of hypothermia, cold shock and drowning.

The course covers topics such as preparation for sea, boat handling, passage making and the responsibility of the skipper, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, use of different types of engine, emergency situations and night cruising.

Assumed knowledge: Candidates should be competent to the standard of Intermediate Powerboat Certificate with navigation and chartwork to the level of Yachtmaster Shorebased certificate.

Duration: 2 days.

Minimum Age: 17

Ability after the course: Execute a coastal trips and return to a familiar port by night.

Suitable for: Adults who are wishing to explore the coastline and offshore islands, or who may have to operate a boat by night.