RYA Advanced Course

[David G]

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

[David G]

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

[David G]

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

[PeteSmith]

Orville

I too come from a diving background and would highly recommend the RYA Advanced course.
BS-AC (along with the other diving associations) have produced a very good guide for (non commercial dive ribs) ie ribs used by individuals and clubs. It covers all the mandatory and optional equipment to be carried, along with many other aspects.

A copy can be downloaded from
http://www.bsac.org/uploads/document...delines_04.pdf


Pete
><(((º>

[havener]

Only just picked this one up..

Talk to the guys at Compass Sea School down the road from you at Portishead - excellent guys and very happy to advise on any aspects.

[David G]

Thanks for the further info guys!!!

Can anyone point me in the direction of the current syllabus for this Advanced Course?

Cheers,

Orve

[ashbypower]

In the first instance check out HERE

[David G]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

In the first instance check out HERE

Thanks,

But anything in slightly more detail than:

Includes pilotage, navigation and boat handling techniques for planing boats on coastal waters by day and night.

Well, actually, a lot more detailed?

Cheers,

Orve.

[v666]

When I was thinking about doing the advanced course finding information was not easy. I came accross this somewhere, sorry I do not remember where I got it from.

RYA Advanced – Powerboat

Aim: To teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and night in tidal coastal waters with which the candidate may be familiar.

Ratio: 1: 6 (using two boats)

Assumed knowledge: Candidates should be competent to the standard of the RYA Intermediate Powerboat certificate with a thorough knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the Day Skipper theory shorebased certificate.

You are required to hold a first aid certificate and a VHF operator’s certificate.

Duration: 2 days & 1 evening

Minimum age: 17

PRACTICAL

Preparation for sea

Can:

- Prepare the powerboat
- Carry out fuel and engine checks
- Stow and secure gear

Boat handling

Knowledge of:

- Differences for a twin engine vessel

Understands:

- Characteristics of various hull forms and propeller configurations
- Action to be taken in rough weather

Can:

- Demonstrate a practical understanding and correct use of power trim and trim tabs
- Demonstrate an awareness of the effects of wind and tide when manoeuvring, including:
- Steering to transits
- Turning in a confined space
- Berthing in various conditions of wind and tide
- Picking up and leaving a mooring buoy
- Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times

Passage making and responsibility as skipper

Understands:

- The importance of pre-trip planning
- Planning and making coastal passages, taking into account the relevant navigational hazards, the type of boat and the strengths of the crew
- Chart plotter and radar, their advantages and limitations

Can:

- Carry out pilotage plans and pilotage for entry into or departure from harbour
- Use leading and clearing lines, transits, back bearings and soundings as aids to pilotage
- Use GPS and understand its limitations in pilotage
- Navigate using soundings

Meterology

Knowledge of:

- Terms used in shipping forecasts; including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft

Understands:

- Sources of forecast information and interpretation of forecasts including synoptic charts
- The significance of meteorological trends

Rules of the road

Can:

- Apply the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea

Use of engines

Knowledge of:

- How to change a propeller
- Propeller diameter and pitch
- Propeller ventilation and cavitation

Understands:

- Checks to be made before starting, during running and after stopping for diesel and petrol engines
- Periodic checks on engines and electrical system including spark plugs, water filters and pump impellers
- How to bleed the fuel system (diesel), change filters and pump impellers, transmission belts
- Spares to be carried

Emergency situations

Understands:

- Correct action to take in emergency situations
- Fire prevention and fighting
- Hull damage/watertight integrity
- What to do in a medical emergency
- Towing and being towed
- Helicopter rescue procedures
- Use of flares
- Search patterns

Can:

- Pick up a man overboard in all available conditions

Night cruising

Can:

- Take charge of a powerboat at night, including leaving and entering harbour
- Demonstrate ability at keeping a proper lookout and identifying lit and unlit marks by night

[David G]

Thanks very much V666.

Does anyone know what the First Aid Certificate must be?

Is there an equivalence list and time limit on course date?

Sorry for the continuing questions !

Thanks,

Orve

[Doug Stormforce]

First Aid is 3 yrs for these purposes and can be from most governing bodies.

Most people do the RYA 1 day or MCA STCW'95 1 day but you can use

EFR Primary and Secondry Care
HSE Appointed Person
HSE First Aid at Work
St John or Red Cross 1 day and countless others

[BassBoy]

Orville
You will find all RYA powerboat syllabus in G20/04 available from most good swindleries or direct from the RYA.
It may be helpful to know that 'Can', 'Understands' and 'Knowledge of' are competency levels and as such, if a section says 'Can', you must be able to do that element of the course. 'Understands' means that you need to be able to show your intructor that you have a thorough understanding of that subject. He/she may simply ask you a series of questions to test your understanding. If you require a 'knowledge of' a certain issue, it might be covered relatively superficially on the course and you may be reffered to some out of course reading/research to devlop your knowledge in the future.
I think the essence of the ADV course, is about taking command. The course assumes that you have a good deal of experience and knowledge and as such, the emphasis should be more on testing you than teaching you. This is a rather different to Lev2/Intermediate/Safetyboat. Don't worry though as there is normally time to fill some gaps in your knowledge whilst on the course.
As with most practical courses, assesment is ongoing throughout the course (commercial endorsement is different) Therefore your instructor has to make subjective decisions about your performance. He/she should give you an idea of how you are doing via thorough de briefing sessions etc. If they don't, ASK THEM.
As with all learning experiences in this life, the quality of that experience is largely down to the individual running the course. Do your research well, before you choose where to take the course.
Top Tip...in my experience the most common reason for attendees not reaching the required standard is their lack of 'Navigation' knowledge. Bone up on the Day Skipper theory course and all should be fine!
Good Luck
BB

[peterb]

Originally Posted by Doug Stormforce

First Aid is 3 yrs for these purposes and can be from most governing bodies.

Most people do the RYA 1 day or MCA STCW'95 1 day but you can use

EFR Primary and Secondry Care
HSE Appointed Person
HSE First Aid at Work
St John or Red Cross 1 day and countless others

Doug - I asked my first aid trainers in an email how long my STCW95 Medical First Aid on Ship (3 day course) would last and they replied with the answer "5 years". Is that because it was the 3 day course and not the one day version? Or were they wrong?