RYA Powerboat Level Two
Aim: to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. The two day course may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planning and displacement and the certificate issued will be endorsed accordingly. The ratio of students to instructor should not exceed 3:1.
Minimum age: 12
12 to 16 year olds will receive a Level 2 certificate which will be endorsed. The holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.
SECTION A: PRACTICAL
Launching and Recovery - knowledge of:
- Use of a trailer or launching trolley.
- Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions.
- Number of persons required to launch and recover.
- Construction, width and condition of slipway.
- Steep/slippery slipways, beach launchings, lee shores.
- Care of trailer bearings, hitches, lashings, ties, lights, winch.
- Trailer parking.
Can:
- Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks and lines.
- Stow and secure gear on board.
Boat Handling Under Way - knowledge of:
- Loading: effect on performance and handling, effect on balance and trim, manufacturer's recommendation and CE plate.
- Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way
Understands:
- Crew members: minimum number in high speed craft, keeping a look-out.
- Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash.
- Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream.
- High speed manoeuvring: planning, trim tabs, and planning trims
- Planning boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, high/low speed handling, tiller/console steering
Can:
- Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stopping
- Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times
- Carry out low speed manoeuvres including turning in a confined area, effect of wind on bow, and holding off. Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern.
- Carry out high speed manoeuvres including S-turns and U-turns
Securing to a Buoy - understands:
- Preparation of mooring warp.
- Use of boathook.
- Method of approach.
- Crew communication.
- Making fast.
- Procedure when overshooting.
Can:
- Approach and secure to a buoy
Anchoring - understands:
- Method of approach in various conditions
- Taking way off
- Crew communication
- Check holding
- Depth of water, holding ground, scope required
Knowledge of:
- Types of anchor.
- Stowage and attachment to boat.
- Preparation of anchor, chain and warp.
- Weighing anchor.
Can:
- Approach and anchor correctly
- Weigh anchor correctly
Leaving and Coming Alongside - understands:
- Preparation and use of painter, lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way.
- Speed and angle of approach
- Wind effect.
- Method of approach in tidal stream or current.
Knowledge of:
- Making fast alongside.
- Use of springs.
- Leaving - ahead or astern.
Man Overboard - knowledge of:
- Recovery of man overboard
Can:
- Take immediate action
- Observe the man overboard
- Carry out the correct return with awareness of propeller
- Approach and recover the man in the water
SECTION B: THEORY
Knowledge of:
- Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea keeping ability
- Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, power tilt and trim tabs, single and twin screws, choice and use of fuels.
- Siting of fuel tanks and lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers.
- Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis.
- Close down procedure
- Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters
- Use and limitations of GPS
- Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
- Sources of weather information
Understands:
- Awareness of other water users
- Communication with other craft - hand and sound signals
- Disabled craft
- Emergency action, preventing sinking
- Adrift - alternative means of propulsion
- Towing and being towed
- Fire precautions and fire fighting
- Distress signals and the Mayday call
- Ropework
Can:
- Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5, 7, 8, 9, 12-19
SECTION C: COASTAL
Knowledge of:
- Pilotage and passage planning
- CG66 Small Craft Safety Scheme
Understands:
- Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
- Tides and tidal streams
Can:
- Use steering and hand bearing compass
- Apply Section A on coastal waters
SECTION D: Direct Assessment for Experienced Powerboat Drivers
- The candidate should have the equivalent of at least a full season's powerboating handling experience. The candidate must complete the practical exercise described, and satisfactorily answer questions on Section B.
- Candidates seeking assessment on coastal waters will demonstrate knowledge and practical application of Section C.
Practical Assessment of All Candidates for Level 2:
- Candidates are expected to show that they understand the principles involved in each manoeuvre. Failure to successfully complete a manoeuvre at the first attempt will not necessarily result in overall failure, but a timely awareness of the need to abort an exercise and try again is important.