RYA - Keeping Current news page

December 2012

Letter to all RYA Powerboat Training Centres regarding Intermediate and Advanced Powerboat course, instructor and vessel requirements - click here.

November 2012

Icom launch VHF/ SRC specific micro website with information for instructors and students alike click here to visit. 

RYA Instructor's Newsletter (Wavelength) - click here

August, 2008

RYA PWC INSTRUCTOR TRAINING - PRE-COURSE EXPERIENCE

For the attention of RYA PWC Trainers:-

As you may be aware, there has been an increase in the number of applicants to train as PW instructors. Many are existing Powerboat instructors wishing to complete the one day conversion.

There have been occasions where applicants have not had the required PW experience and assumed that being a Powerboat instructor was sufficient.

Please ensure that when accepting candidates onto PW instructor courses that they hold the PW proficiency certificate, a valid first aid qualification and have previous PW riding experience. Having attended the PW proficiency course without any other riding experience is insufficient.

- RYA 30/7/08

JUNE, 2007

QUAL's REQUIRED TO TEACH RYA BASIC NAVIGATION COURSE

An RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor who has attended and passed the Shorebased Instructor Course is the lowest qualification you can hold in order to teach the new Basic Navigation and Safety Course. More information will be added to the RYA website tomorrow (14/6/07) and it is going in the Guidance Notes as we speak -they are just printing of some new ones.

-Written by Beth Jenkins (PA to the RYA Chief Powerboat instructor)

JUNE, 2007

RYA INTRODUCTION TO PWC SAFETY COURSE

A new basic course for SuperYacht Charter guests

For more information please visit   http://www.rya.org.uk

Following many requests from the SuperYacht Charter Industry the RYA have launched a new basic PW course for guests using PWs during their charter holiday – the Introduction to Personal Watercraft Safety course.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be issued with a certificate valid only for the duration of the charter, and only whilst being supervised by the crew/PW instructor on board the yacht.

In order to offer this training, the captain of the Superyacht will need to train as (or employ) an RYA PW Instructor, apply for RYA recognition and undergo an inspection visit in the usual way. 

When devising this new course, the RYA consulted with the Professional Yachtsmen's Association (PYA) and the Superyacht charter industry. Captain Peter Evans, President of the PYA, comments:

"The PYA is pleased that the recent discussions with the RYA have led so quickly to the introduction of this new PW training scheme tailored to the needs of the Superyacht industry. We expect that this scheme will be taken up by many of the larger yachts and we hope that it will bring about a significant improvement in the levels of skill and safety awareness of occasional PW users. We look forward to co-operating with the RYA in other areas of mutual interest as and when the opportunity arises."

This new course will not affect existing recognised PW training centres and will not change the delivery of the existing PW proficiency course. However, PW instructors need to be aware of it and able to deliver the basic course on board a Superyacht if requested. Therefore PW trainers need to include guidance on how to teach the course when they are training new instructors.

On the RYA website (link above) are Guidance Notes for instructors and training centres, which include the course syllabus.

PW Instructors need to be familiar with the course as potentially you could be asked to provide training for a Superyacht. If you wish to be approached you need to ensure you are on our ‘available for work’ list so that we can forward your contact details to any interested Superyacht.

The RYA  believe there will be a significant uptake for this course which will result in an increased demand for instructor training, from which you may benefit.