PB2 Pre-Course Information

PRE-COURSE INFORMATION

This course will enable you to achieve the RYA National Powerboat Certificate Level 2.

Course Description

A two-day course of instruction in both practical and theory aspects of safe handling and seamanship in powerboats.

The following topics will be covered on the water during the course:

• Launching and recovery of a boat
• Boat handling
• Securing to a buoy
• Anchoring
• Leaving and coming alongside a pontoon or other fixed point
• Man overboard
• Turning in a confined space

The following topics will be covered on shore during the course:

• Passage planning and navigation
• Types of craft and their respective advantages and disadvantages
• Engines and drives
• Use of power tilt and trim tabs
• Safety checks and equipment
• Awareness of other water users
• Towing and being towed
• Communication with other craft
• Emergency action; distress signals; fire precautions and fire fighting
• Rope work

(Some on-shore elements may be completed whilst afloat.)

On the second day there may be an assessment undertaken to confirm the participant's ability to undertake the practical elements of the course. These will be manoeuvres that have been learnt during the course.

Before the course it would be helpful if you already had a good knowledge of the following although we will cover these elements during the days:

• Basic knots and rope work
  • How to coil and throw a line
  • How to tie :
    • A round turn and two half hitches;
    • a bowline;
    • a clove hitch
    • How to cleat off a mooring line
• Weather :
  • Beaufort scale
  • Different sources of collecting weather data/forecasts
  • A basic understanding of how the weather conditions affect the sea states
• Navigation charts :
  • Some basic chart work will be completed during the course.
  • Although not essential if you are able to have a look at a chart before the course it may be useful.
  • Don't worry if it is not possible!

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Please make sure you have the following: ·

• Lifejacket or buoyancy aid. This must be an appropriate size and fitting; if utilising a gas canister this must be serviceable.
• Outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.
• Suitable footwear (boots/waterproof shoes) No dirty wellies!
• Suitable headwear, gloves, sunglasses
• Packed lunch/drinks/snacks (any medication required please advise the instructors)
• Change of clothes may be required and a towel
• Pen/paper for notes

The instructors will ensure you are suitably dressed for the activity but may not allow you on the water if you will be at risk due to inappropriate clothing.

On successful completion of your course your name, contact details, date of birth, certificate number and date of issue will be shared with the RYA through a secure web portal on www.rya.org.uk. The data will be stored on the RYA's central database. This information allows the RYA to record your qualification, to update any records they may hold for you, and to verify or replace your certificate if required. For further information on how the RYA will deal with your data, please see the RYA's Privacy Policy at www.rya.org.uk/go/privacy

Last updated 12:18 on 25 March 2024