Best place for Advanced powerboat course

[paddle!!]

Hi all

I've been thinking of getting the RYA advanced powerboat with a view to getting it commercially endorsed.
Im just looking for opinions at the moment on the best/cheapest providers around Argyll.
I could also do the ISA equivalent in Ireland but I'm not sure if this qualification is recognised in the UK?

I have the RYA level 2 and ISA level 2. Dont ask why I have both . How much seatime is needed to get the commercial endorsement and how hard is the exam?
I'm confident at close quarter manouvering and passage planning I reckon I'll need to brush up nightime stuff though.

Anyway thanks!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by paddle!!

Im just looking for opinions at the moment on the best/cheapest providers around Argyll.

don't assume cheapest = best

How much seatime is needed to get the commercial endorsement and how hard is the exam?

answers on the RYA website - but to get from PB2 to Advanced there are other requirements. e.g. VHF cert, navigation competence at Day Skipper Shorebased level. After that to get endorsed you'll need Sea Survival (and First Aid I think?) - so you may want a school which can offer all of that?


If you are looking in Argyll the obvious choice would be Sea Skills in Oban (posts on here as SeaSkills).

If your scope includes the Clyde / Glasgow then the PB School at the Tallship (well where it was before it moved this week!) who posts on here as "Speedy" would be able to meet your needs.

If you are looking for cheap then the RYA centre at Cumbrae might be cheaper than these guys (I don't know that it is just a guess) if they operate bigger classes.

I'm sure someone else will be able to suggest schools in NI; the one which springs to mind is that Redbay offer training.

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by paddle!!

Hi all

I've been thinking of getting the RYA advanced powerboat with a view to getting it commercially endorsed.
Im just looking for opinions at the moment on the best/cheapest providers around Argyll........How much seatime is needed to get the commercial endorsement.....

We are a bit far away from you but we have listed the pre requistes and sea time for the RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence exam here

To then add the commercial endorsement is simply a matter of taking the Sea Survival Course and a medical and sending of the paperwork with a small fee (£30). At some point soon however a stand alone E Learning Test will also be required for the commercial endorsement.

I don't really know the centres in your area by Sea Skills is generally well spoken of.

[SeaSkills]

Thanks Doug and Neil for the kind words.

Paddle, we'd be happy to help you and we can offer all of the training and exam options you might need. In Argyll, we have centres at Oban and Ardfern, or at Largs on the Clyde.

PM me if you'd like more information.

[paddle!!]

Hi thanks for the replies

So far I have

Personal survival techniques STCW
VHF operators licence (Telephony only though, would I need DSC?)
Elementary first aid at sea STCW again

The only thing thats bugging me though is that my VHF licence was issued in Ireland so not sure if it'll be accepted in the UK and also I'm not licenced for digital selective calling.

Any comments?

Im in Oban by the way so I'll probably be giving seaskills a shout.

Thanks

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by paddle!!

Hi thanks for the replies


The only thing thats bugging me though is that my VHF licence was issued in Ireland so not sure if it'll be accepted in the UK and also I'm not licenced for digital selective calling.

Any comments?

What is the title of your VHF license?

DSC (or lack of) does not stop you getting your adv commercial , however if you work on a boat with DSC you should have the SRC (Short Range Certificate) or a higher GMDSS cert.