RYA Advanced Course

[Orville]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the correct forum.

I want to do the Advanced Course so that I meet my Insurance requirements for navigating in the dark.

I live just outside Bristol.

I need to decide whether to just book a course and go along or use my own vessel.

I can probably get a couple of other people to do the course with me to keep the cost down, especially if I use my own boat.

However, the questions are:

1. If I use my own boat, can I find a specification list somewhere to confirm I have it suitably equipped?

2. If I go the own boat route, any recommendations of school/Instructor not a million miles from Bristol?

3. If I just go to a school, any recommendations again not a million miles from Bristol.

My background in RIBs is through diving, and have been messing about in them since the mid 1980s. I hold the old RYA Level 3 (1990) Yellow sticker BSAC Diver Coxn certificate.

Thanks in advance,

Orve.

[Rogue Wave]

Safety Equipment.



· Bowline
· Anchor, chain and warp.
· Pump
· 2 paddles
· first aid kit
· flare pack
· fire extinguisher
· VHF
· Handheld compass.
· Throw line.
· Spare mooring lines.
· Tool kit.
· Fog horn
· TPA.

Under certain regulations and when operating at night, the skipper/ instructor that

· Boats navigation lights are in working order
· All lifejackets are fitted with a light.
· There is a torch on board
· Life raft.*


*only required under MCA red/yellow code Category 3.

obviously suitable clothing is a must

[Orville]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Safety Equipment.



· Bowline
· Anchor, chain and warp.
· Pump
· 2 paddles
· first aid kit
· flare pack
· fire extinguisher
· VHF
· Handheld compass.
· Throw line.
· Spare mooring lines.
· Tool kit.
· Fog horn
· TPA.

Under certain regulations and when operating at night, the skipper/ instructor that

· Boats navigation lights are in working order
· All lifejackets are fitted with a light.
· There is a torch on board
· Life raft.*


*only required under MCA red/yellow code Category 3.

obviously suitable clothing is a must

Thanks..........

what is TPA?
Can I get lights for lifejackets if they are not currently fitted?

Orve.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Orville

Thanks..........

what is TPA?
Can I get lights for lifejackets if they are not currently fitted?

Orve.

Thermal protective Aid

Lights no probs I'll find some links for you

http://shop.lifejackets.co.uk/acatal...et_lights.html this site sells TPA's as well

[wavelength]

radar reflector so the big boys can see you as per SOLAS 5 (which also requires a table of lifesaving signals and a passage plan!)

[Rogue Wave]

Aren't those things a requirement for all boats.

The MCA say it's regulation but others say it's a recomendation

but either way you are correct

[Paul Glatzel]

Orville

Hi, Agree with lists already provided - available as a download here .

In terms of electronics we'd like to see a GPS unit of some description on board plus a depth sounder. Nav lights, lifejacket lights, spotlights etc are key too.

Regarding schools in Bristol then i don't personally know any but those that are there will be on the RYA website. We'd happily train on your boat in Bristol as one of my Instructors lives there, equally there is nothing to stop you trailing your boat somewhere like Poole or the Solent and training there - which can sometimes be better as it isn't quite as tide affected as somewhere like Bristol so gives greater flexibility for the course in respect of timings. Either will work well for you though.

Good luck & feel free to throw in further questions

Regards

Paul

[Orville]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the reply.

More and more information for me to work through!

Out of interest, how full is your mid-October event?

Cheers,

Orve.

[wavelength]

Aren't those things a requirement for all boats

yes but how many boats do you see without them-including training boats who should know better.
Did a delivery the other week down the west coast and across to the continent in a boat easily capable of cruising in excess of 30 knots (usually on autopilot) - mid channel we came across a 20footer who didnt show at all on the radar. No reflector on it. Scary how invisible you can be without one.

[Paul Glatzel]

Orville

Hi, mid october is not full as it stands. In all honesty now we are more towards darker nights earlier then advanced courses become more popular so we find we end up running more dates than we plan in. In short dates/availability shouldn't be an issue.

Regards

Paul