Course and qualification

RYA Helmsman Practical Course

RYA schemes:Motor Cruising RYA

Age:Minimum age12 and over

Level:BeginnerIntermediate

Setting:Afloat

About this course

This two-day course covers basic boat handling, helmsmanship, safety and basic engine maintenance. It aims to teach boat handling & safety within a defined area. It is specific to the type of boat in which the course is carried out and is therefore particularly suitable as an own boat course for new owners of motor cruisers who are conscious of the difficulty and potential hazards of boat handling in the marina.

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	Minimum age: 12
Duration	2 days
Course content	Boat preparation; Boat handling; Securing to a buoy; Berthing alongside; Man overboard; Types of craft; Engines and drives; Engine operation and maintenance; Safety and seamanship; Rules of the road.
Certificate or qualification	The appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award type	Course completion certificate
Separate assessment	Not required

Prerequisites

Entry requirement

None

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

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Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Step 1 · To do
RYA Start Motor Cruising
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising RYA
RYA Start Motor Cruising
You’ll cover personal safety and seamanship, how to deal with emergency situations, coming alongside, picking up a mooring and basic boat handling. And with children as young as eight-years-old able…
Minimum age8 and over
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
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