The aim of the RYA Powerboat Advanced course is to teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a powerboat safely by day and night in tidal coastal waters.

Required previous experience

Participants on the course should be competent and ideally hold the RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate (coastal) have a knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the RYA Day Skipper Theory course. Participants should also ideally hold a RYA First Aid Certificate and a VHF Operators Licence. We recommend anyone looking to book the RYA Advanced Powerboat course phones to book so that we can chat through your previous experience to ensure this course is suitable for you.

Practical earning

• Preparation for sea

  • Preparation of powerboat, fuel and engine checks, stowing and securing gear

• Boat handling

  • Characteristics of various hull forms and propeller configuration

  • Knowledge of action to be taken in rough weather

  • Understanding correct use of power trims and trim tabs

  • Understanding of effects of tide/wind when manoeuvring including steering to transits, turning in tight confined spaces, berthing, picking up moorings etc.

  • Ability to complete manoeuvres in a variety of conditions

  • Understand importance of pre-trip planning and what is required to plan a coastal passage taking into account hazards, crew, boat etc.

• Passage making/pilotage

  • Plans and pilotage for entry into or departure from harbour

  • Use of leading and clearing lines, transits and sounding as an aid to pilotage

  • High speed navigation and GPS waypoint navigation

• Night cruising

  • Powerboating at night, including entering and leaving harbour, special considerations for keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night

Shore-based learning

• Meteorology

  • Understanding of sources of forecast information and terms used in shipping forecast (including Beaufort Scale), interpretation of forecasts and synoptic charts, and meteorological significance to small craft

• Rules of the road

  • Can apply IRPCS at sea

• Knowledge and use of engines

  • Knowledge of propellers – diameter and pitch, how to change a propeller, ventilation and cavitation

  • Pre-departure, during running and after stopping checks for petrol and diesel engines

  • Importance of periodic checks on engines and electrical systems including spark plugs, water filters, pump impellers, transmission belts and spares

• Emergency situations

  • Correct action to take in an emergency situation including fire, hull damage, medical emergencies, cold water immersion or towing

  • Helicopter rescue procedures

  • Use of flares

  • How to issue a distress by all available means

  • Search patterns

Required experience

Anyone undertaking the course should be competent to the level of the RYA Intermediate Powerboat course and have knowledge of the navigation and chartwork to the level of Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased certificate. It is recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and VHF operators’ certificate.