Looking for training

[qcamel]

I have spent the last few years living in the Carribean where I regularily spent my time on the water. I have now returned to my native North East and am in the process of buying a rib for use along our local coastline. I wonder what training you would reccomend for local regulations, water ways and local navigation...

Any help and guidance would be much appreciated.

Ollie

[Brian]

I am only replying Ollie, because I am amazed no-one else has yet!!

There are lots of Instructors on this website (see especially the Commercial thread area) who can help you.
Basically you need an RYA properly qualified Power Boat Instructor to take you initially through Power Boat Levels 1 2 and Advanced. You will get "certificated" at each stage.
By the time you get those qualifications under your belt then you will know a) what else you need in training terms and b) doubtles a lot more than me.
I cannot, I am afraid recommend anyone in the North-East, as very time I go further North than Hemel Hempstead my compass needle starts to go round in circles, it begins to snow and I swear I can hear wolves howling.

[qcamel]

Thanks for your help, I will act upon it. As far as snow and wolves go I can only agree with you. Just spend 9 years in the Cayman Islands and feel like I have landed on the moon, however I guess in time it will make me harder!!!!!

Ollie

[MeMe]

......welcome to the Forum and well done for appreciating that some professional training is advantageous.

I'd mirror the above comments but add a point one chap on my recent Intermediate Course made in that if you are going to take a course it's often beneficial as well as exciting to take the course away from your local cruising ground as you get to see a coastline you may not normally bother to trailer you craft to.

Therefore, I'd recomment a trip to North Wales where you'll find a great many fello ribsters such as Ian, Jono, Jono Gorton, Phil Davies, Fred Bolton to name but a few without upsetting those I've missed.

Further, Jono Gorton runs a very respectable, professional and fun Training Centre in Pwllheli. Give him a call, don't mention my name but do mention the Forum and I'm sure he'll cut you a deal. Further, there's alwats a get together of some sort in the eveing and the local B&B is well priced with a very friendly land lady as Dave Manning (another N.W Rib Nobber) will testify.

Hope to see you soon.

[tim griffin]

Wales Jono
North East wavelength Dave Mallet
SouthWest Dave Hickman
South Paul Glatzel
South Solent me Tim Griffin
all on rib net all worth having a look at have a chat with them all and see how you feel about who can offer you what you want hope it helps
regards tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

[MeMe]

..........every credit.

[Richard B]

Except that none of the above are within 150miles of qcamel!!!
(Sorry Tim, couldn't resist - I'll buy you a roadmap for Christmas! )
Dave Mallett was in Blackpool last time I looked at his website http://www.rya.org.uk/Regions/NorthW...p?tcId=1133107

As mentioned by Brian, have a look at thje RYA's website - http://www.rya.org.uk/Regions/NorthEast or even better here: http://www.rya.org.uk/Regions/NorthEast/tcs.asp (scroll down to "powerboat")

(Be patient with the RYA's website - it's painfully slow... aaaaggghhhh!!!!! )

And let us know how you get on!

[Paul Glatzel]

Hi, in the Northe East give Ian @ Team Alpha a buzz http://www.team-alpha.com/boatmain.htm

Regards

Paul

[qcamel]

My thought about gaining training locally was that I would learn about local slipway/access points, shallow dangerous areas on our coast, radio frequencies for various harbours/marina's... If however there is another way to gain this local knowledge then I think it would be beneficial to do the training away from here, always an excuse to get out of the house!!!

How do you go about gaining local knowledge other than by getting fines for an illegal low tide launch, running out of fuel and drifting onto a previously unseen offshore reef?????

Ollie

[MeMe]

Originally Posted by qcamel

How do you go about gaining local knowledge Ollie

.........with experience and the bast way, IMHO of gaining this is to link up with another local and well established boat and crew and do some cruising with them.