Powerboat instructor course preparation

Are you considering attending or are booked to attend a powerboat instructor course?

 

If so, then here are some hints and tips to help you prepare:-

Certificate pre-requisites:- Powerboat level 2 certificate, First Aid certificate (if working coastally it may also be advisable to hold a VHF/DSC certificate).

Preparation:

During your course there will be an expected amount of background knowledge, this will be checked through general teaching, presentations and perhaps a quiz. The items you may be asked about (though are certainly not limited to) are as follows:-

  • Tides - How they occur? Springs & Neaps. Interpreting a tide table. Wind against tide conditions. Tidal streams.
  • Weather - Sources of weather information. Interpreting a MetOffice inshore forecast. Beaufort scale.
  • Navigation - Chart colours, drying heights (chart datum), Symbols & buoyage. Variation. Measuring distance & bearings. Creating a basic passage plan. Chart 5011.
  • IRPCS & Byelaws - Rules 5, 7, 8, 9, 12-19
  • Hull types & Engine drives
  • Boat & personal safety equipment
  • Anchoring
  • Launching & recovery
  • Basic engine checks & routine maintenance
  • GPS - Use & limitations of. Waypoints. Where a GPS gets it position information from. Latitude & Longitude.
  • CG66 Small craft safety scheme.
  • Distress calls - MayDay and PanPan.

Aids to your preparation: