Course and qualification

RYA Helmsman Practical Course

BeginnerIntermediateAfloat

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 ageMinimum age: 12
Duration2 days
Course contentBoat 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 qualificationThe appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award typeCourse completion certificate
Separate assessmentNot 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.

View your course roadmap1 step · Starts from the beginning

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

  1. Step 1 · To do

Training providers

Where you can take this course

Choose a location and radius to show the linked providers nearest to you.

Oceanpro

  • Training & Teaching

Oceanpro

Explore Oceanpro, a Training & Teaching listing in Beaulieu sur Mer, France.

Beaulieu sur Mer, France

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Seascope France

  • Training & Teaching

Seascope France

Explore Seascope France, a Training & Teaching listing in 19 Avenue Thiers, Antibes, Antigua and Barbuda.

19 Avenue Thiers, Antibes, Antigua and Barbuda

  • RYA Training Centre
View place

Compass Sea School Ltd

  • Training & Teaching

Compass Sea School Ltd

Compass Sea School Ltd, located at Inverness Marina in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, is a family run business offering first class professional tuition in all aspects of water and shorebased RYA Powerboat, Sailing and…

Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Duck-2-Water

  • Training & Teaching

Duck-2-Water

Explore Duck-2-Water, a Training & Teaching listing in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Pure Latitude

  • Training & Teaching

Pure Latitude

Explore Pure Latitude, a Training & Teaching listing in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
View place

Just Sailing

  • Training & Teaching

Just Sailing

Explore Just Sailing, a Training & Teaching listing in Banchina Molo Sottoflutto, Citta Metropolitana Di Genoa, Italy.

Banchina Molo Sottoflutto, Citta Metropolitana Di Genoa, Italy

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

You & Sea

  • Training & Teaching

You & Sea

Explore You & Sea, a Training & Teaching listing in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, United Kingdom.

Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Urban Truant

  • Training & Teaching

Urban Truant

Explore Urban Truant, a Training & Teaching listing in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Mendez Marine

  • Training & Teaching

Mendez Marine

Explore Mendez Marine, a Training & Teaching listing in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Miceli Vela

  • Training & Teaching

Miceli Vela

Explore Miceli Vela, a Training & Teaching listing in Porto Santo Stefano, GR, Italy.

Porto Santo Stefano, GR, Italy

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Portugal Sail And Power

  • Training & Teaching

Portugal Sail And Power

A warm welcome to Portugal Sail and Power Based in Vilamoura Marina on the Algarve, Portugal, we provide all types of training for owners and users of Powerboats, Motorboats and Sailing Yachts. Whether you…

Quarteira, Faro District, Portugal

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Le Mourier

  • Training & Teaching

Le Mourier

Explore Le Mourier, a Training & Teaching listing in St Lawrence, Channel Islands, Jersey.

St Lawrence, Channel Islands, Jersey

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place

Ondeck Antigua

  • Training & Teaching

Ondeck Antigua

Explore Ondeck Antigua, a Training & Teaching listing in English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda.

English Harbour, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

  • RYA Training Centre
  • ICC Test Centre
View place