RYA Advanced Powerboat Course — Lesson Plan
Aims
To develop advanced skippering techniques for powerboats in day and night operations under demanding coastal conditions.
Course Overview
Duration: 2 days (includes night navigation exercise) Level: Advanced / Professional (preparation for Certificate of Competence exam) Pre-requisites: - RYA Powerboat Level 2 - Navigation knowledge to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased standard - 2 years’ powerboating experience recommended - Valid VHF/SRC and First Aid certificates (for CoC exam)
Day 1 — Advanced Boat Handling & Coastal Navigation
1000 Meet at Itchenor Sailing Club (PO20 7AG)
Morning (1000–1230)
Topic 1: Introduction & Safety Briefing
- Course objectives, weather, and safety review - Safety equipment and emergency procedures - Crew management and briefing skills
Topic 2: Advanced Boat Handling
- High-speed turns, wave handling, and close-quarters manoeuvres - Berthing in wind and tide, man overboard drills
Afternoon (1330–1700)
Topic 3: Navigation Refresher & Passage Planning
- Chartwork, tides, and pilotage - Use of GPS, radar, and AIS - Plan night navigation passage
Topic 4: Pilotage Exercise
- Execute short coastal passage using pilotage plan - Position fixing and cross-checks with electronics
Evening (1900–2300)
Topic 5: Night Navigation & Pilotage
- Use of lights, radar, and transits at night - Identification of navigation lights and buoyage - Conduct night passage under instructor supervision
Day 2 — Emergency Skills, Advanced Seamanship & Assessment
1100 Meet at Itchenor Sailing Club (PO20 7AG)
Morning (1100–1430)
Topic 6: Heavy Weather Boat Handling
- Rough sea techniques, trim, throttle, and helm control - Wave handling and speed management
Topic 7: Search and Rescue / Emergency Scenarios
- DSC, VHF distress procedures, towing, and breakdown drills
Afternoon (1530–1700)
- Leadership, navigation accuracy, and safety assessment
Topic 9: Debrief & Preparation for CoC Exam
- Instructor feedback on skippering - Review of RYA CoC exam structure and expectations
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will: - Plan and execute safe coastal passages by day and night - Demonstrate advanced handling in challenging conditions - Apply leadership and crew management effectively - Handle emergencies and communicate via VHF/DSC - Be ready for the RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence exam
Resources & Equipment
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Handbook - Charts, plotting tools, GPS/chartplotter, radar - Full safety gear (lifejackets, flares, radios, etc.) - Coastal-capable training vessel
Please remember to dress or the conditions, it is cooler on the water so you may need to bring waterproofs and a jumper. Bring water, suntan lotion and lunch.
Let us know if you need a life jacket.
Please bring a Passport style photo as we can’t issue a PB Licence without it.
We look forward to seeing you on the course.