RYA Safety Boat - Spring 2024

RYA Safety Boat - 16th and 17th March 2024

This two-day course provides the skills required when acting as an escort craft, safety boat or coach boat for a fleet of dinghies, windsurfers or canoes, or for racing or training activities. It includes rescue techniques.

Course Content: Preparation, boat handling, dinghy rescue, windsurfer rescue, kayak or canoe rescue (can be covered as theory), towing, end-of-day procedures, safety, suitability of craft, local factors, communication, rescuing other water users.

Ability After Course: Able to provide safety or support cover to a range of craft, particularly sailing or windsurfing.

RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling certificate must be held prior to this course and you must be aged 16 or over to attend this course.

Discounted prices for existing members and further discounts for members who are attending for the benefit of the club.

Members on a duty crew will be given priority if places become limited.

Dates: Saturday 16th March, Sunday 17th March

Timing: 9am to 5pm each day

Teaching ratio: 1 instructor to 3 students

Theory

All RYA courses are based on the appropriate RYA Handbook and are designed to give you the skills, experience and confidence to gain your RYA certification. As the time on the course is limited, and to maximize the time gaining practical skills on the water, you may be asked to complete theory work at home or read ahead.

Clothing

• We suggest you wear layers of warm quick drying clothing (no denim!), protected by a wind/waterproof layer. To protect your feet and the boat wear canvas shoes / trainers / wet boots / sailing wellies. Unfortunately, bare feet, high heels, and gardening wellies are NOT allowed.
• Please remember a hat and gloves for courses in cold weather along with sunscreen, a cap and cheap sunglasses with a restraining strap for warm weather courses.
• Always bring a change of clothing and a towel with you, as there is a strong chance you will get wet!

Safety

Buoyancy Aids
You must always wear a buoyancy aid on jetties or while afloat in a boat. For the duration of the course you may borrow a club buoyancy aid from the training room but please ensure this is returned at the end of each session. After your course, you will be expected to provide your own buoyancy aid while sailing and powerboating.

Emergency contact
In case of an accident we have asked you for the details of an emergency contact, please ensure this information is up to date.

Medication
If you are on medication that you think we may need to know about please tell us, also if you need an inhaler or epi pen please ensure these are easily accessible by Instructors in case you require them.

Pre existing injuries
Please inform your Senior Instructor of any injuries.

Instruction

• The course programme is not rigid. Weather conditions may mean alterations need to be made to the sequence of the course however all the listed exercises will be covered during the course.
• RYA Handbooks and Logbooks will be issued as required (the cost is covered by the course fee) and you will get the appropriate certificate at the end of the course. Please ask your Instructor to sign off the stages of your progression in your Log Book after each session.
• If you are having problems or are not happy with any aspect of the course, please discuss them with your Instructor, Senior Instructor or Training Principal.
• Each person is individual; we expect them to progress at their own rate. We will help you to progress, an will work at a pace to suit yourself where appropriate.
• We hope you will not have any complaints but please note if required we do have a formal complaints procedure, to investigate any issues.

And finally . . . .
The Club is indebted to the volunteers who are qualified RYA Instructors and who willingly give up their time to ensure we are able to offer these courses. We love sailing and want to do so safely.

Booking T&Cs