RYA Safety Boat Course
Provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It aims to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. It focuses on low speed close quarters handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, and collision regulations. The course can be taken at an inland or coastal location. It may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planing and displacement. The certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type of boat in which the training took place.
Times
09:00 to 17:00 each day
Cost
Cost includes the RYA certificate and logbook.
Content
The RYA Safety Boat course is a 2-day practical program designed to teach experienced powerboaters how to safely assist and rescue small craft, such as dinghies, windsurfers, and canoes. It is the ideal qualification for club volunteers, instructors, and race officials.
Course Overview
The 2-day syllabus blends theory and on-water practice to equip you with specialized rescue techniques
- Advanced Boat Handling: Positioning the safety craft in challenging conditions and managing fleets.
- Rescue Techniques: Safely righting capsized dinghies, rescuing windsurfers, and managing kayaks/canoes.
- Towing: Best practices for towing single or multiple broken-down vessels.
- Race Management & Safety: Setting up courses, laying marks, and handling local communications.
PrerequisitesTo enroll in the Safety Boat course, you must meet the following requirements:
- Experience: You must hold a valid RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate prior to starting.
- Basic Knowledge: A foundational understanding of sailing boats and windsurfers is required.
- Age Requirement: The minimum age is typically 16 (though some centers require participants to be 18).
What to bring: Notebook and pen
Your own lifejacket
A passport sized photograph of you
Packed lunch
Last updated 5:14pm on 25 June 2026
