The Powerboat Level 2 course is a two-day, hands-on training programme designed to teach essential powerboat handling skills and safety procedures. Suitable for beginners and those looking to enhance their skills, the course covers boat handling, emergency procedures, navigation, and pre-departure checks. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to operate a powerboat confidently, manage safety situations, and navigate waterways. Successful completion leads to an internationally recognised Powerboat Level 2 certificate from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) will be issued to you by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), is an internationally recognised qualification that allows you to charter a boat up to 10 metres in length across Europe. This certificate serves as proof of your boating skills and competence, making it easier for you to hire a boat from charter companies in various European countries. Many charter companies require the ICC as part of their rental process to ensure that you have the necessary skills to safely operate the vessel. The ICC is widely accepted and facilitates smooth access to boating opportunities throughout Europe.
Powerboat 2 course
Day One Morning
Personal safety kit
Knowledge of:
- Appropriate clothing
Understands:
- Lifejackets / Buoyancy aids
- Wet weather gear
Powerboat safety kit
Understands:
- Safety kit to carry & it’s uses
Launching & Recovery
Knowledge of:
- Use of trailer / launching
- Considerations of launching
- Number of persons
- Slipways construction types of slipways
- Care of trailer and trailer parking
Can:
- Prepare boat to launch
- Tie relevant knots
On board
Familiarisation
Can:
- Pre-start checks, engine starting / stopping
- Kill Cord
- Carry out low speed maneuvers in F & R
Holding off
Can:
- Hold off
Moorings
Understands:
- Preparation -warp, boat hook, crew comms, securing
Can:
- Approach a secure buoy
Man Overboard (into wind)
Knowledge of:
- Recovery methods
Understands:
- Cold shock &immersion hypothermia
- How and when to raise the alarm
Can:
- Take immediate action
- Observe / Crew Comms
- Approach & recovery
- Switch engine off
Lunch
Leaving and coming alongside
Understands:
- Preparation
- Approach: speed / angle / wind & tide effect
Can:
- Come along side
- Secure using springs
- Depart (ahead or astern)
Leaving and coming alongside using springs / warps
Can:
- Spring on & off a pontoon
- Turn on a warp
Confined space
Can:
- Turn in a confined space area
Day Two Morning
Weather
Knowledge of:
- Sources of weather information
Tides
Understands:
- Tides & Tidal Streams
Navigation
Knowledge of:
- Use & limitations of GPS Plotters
Understands:
- Pilotage & Passage Planning
- Charts & Chart Symbols
- Buoyage
Can:
- Use steering & hand bearing compass
Man Overboard (drift down)
Can:
- Take immediate action
- Observe / Crew Comms
- Approach & Recover
- Switch Engine Off
Lunch
Anchoring
Knowledge of:
- Types of Anchor
- Preparation stowage attachment weighing anchor
- Understands:
- Correct approach
- Crew Comms
- Checking holding (transits)
- Depth of water / scope required
Can:
- Approach & Anchor
- Weigh Anchor
Emergencies
Understands:
- Disabled craft, sinking, adrift, fire
- Towing
- Distress signals: DSC, Mayday Means of attracting attention
Planning Speed
Understands:
- Lookout, Crew comms,
- Trim tabs / Power trim
Can:
- Handle a boat at planning speed
During
Engines & Hulls
Knowledge of:
- Types of craft advantages and disadvantages of different hull types
- Engines and drives advantages and disadvantages of outboards inboards outdrive single and twin shafts
- Seating arrangements
- Routine engine maintenance checks basic fault diagnosis
- Close down procedures
IRPCS
Knowledge of:
- Clear visibility sound signals
Understands:
- Restricted visibility
- Application of local bylaws
Can:
- Good Look out (5) Risk of Collision (7) Action to avoid collision (8) Narrow channels (9) Sailing vessels (12) Overtaking (13) Head on (14) Crossing (15) Action by give way vessel (16) Action by stand on vessel (17) Responsibilities between vessels (18)
We will be running powerboat 2 courses throughout the year on our school boats. Please see the dates available here. We can also carry out a powerboat 2 course on your own boat details of which can be found here. It may be that on completion of the RYA course you would like further assistance or a familiarisation of the Solent area. Please contact us to discuss the options.