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(Pleasure Craft)

 

To assist yacht skippers who are not able to produce any formal qualifications as evidence of their competence in operating pleasure craft within European waters, the RYA have introduced the International Certificate of Competence. Application for this certificate is direct to the RYA.  To gain acceptance of this certificate by individual member states within the EEC, a requirement was introduced for the award only to be made subject to successful examination.

Being one of the approved examining centres in the UK, we are able to offer British Citizens or bone fide British Residents a specific weekend sail training and examination session in the Solent area throughout the year. Potential candidates will be given a thorough safety briefing and period of familiarisation with the craft, together with an assessment and coaching as appropriate, prior to conducting the theory and practical examinations.  Applicants who wish to apply for the inland waterways category must pass a theory test of the CENVI (European Inland Waterway Regulations); as this requires several hours of personal study we recommend the RYA book be read thoroughly and digested prior to the weekend.

During the weekend you will be given the opportunity to show that you are capable of skippering a yacht without endangering other people, vessels or the marine environment. The scope of both theory and practical tests is as follows:-

Oral / Written

  1. Regulations
    1. Knows responsibility for keeping a proper lookout.
    2. Can determine a 'safe speed'.
    3. Can identify 'give way' vessel in a collision situation.
    4. Knows what action to take as 'give way' and 'stand on' vessel.
    5. Knows responsibilities of a small vessel in a narrow channel.
    6. Can recognise manoeuvring signals (1, 2, 3 & 5 short blasts).
    7. Can make and recognise visual distress signals.
    8. Is aware of requirements of carry text of national Regulations on board.
  2. Safety
    1. Is able to use and instruct crew on the use of:
      • Lifejackets
      • Distress flares
      • Fire extinguishers
    2. Can prepare a boat for use and take sensible precautions before setting out, including:
      • Engine checks
      • Check fuel/water/gas
      • Obtain weather forecast
      • Avoid overloading boat
  1. Regulations
    1. Knows rules relating to Traffic Separation Schemes.
    2. Knows requirements for navigation lights and shapes to be displayed by own vessel.
    3. Can recognise the following from the lights:
      • Power driven
      • sailing vessel
      • vessel at anchor
      • tug & tow
      • fishing vessel
      • dredger.
    4. Knows sound signal to be made by vessels as in Q3.
  2. Pilotage
    1. Can recognise, by day and night, and understand significance of buoys of the IALA system.
    2. Knows sources of information on: local regulation, port entry & departure signals, VTS and Port Operations Radio
    3. Can plan a harbour entry/departure, taking account of possible presence of large vessels and avoiding navigational hazards.
  3. Navigation (Chart & Plotting Instruments required)
    1. Can interpret a navigational chart, understand significance of charted depths & drying heights and can identify charted hazards.
    2. Can plot position by cross bearings and by Lat/Long.
    3. Can determine magnetic course to steer, making allowances for leeway and tidal stream.
    4. Can use a tide table to find times and heights of high and low water at a standard port.
    5. Can determine direction and rate of tidal stream from a tidal stream atlas or tidal diamonds on a chart.

Practical

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  1. START
    • Give safety briefing including use of safety equipment.
    • Has listened to weather forecasts
    • Pre start engine checks
    • Start Engine
    • Check cooling
    • Knows fuel range
  2. DEPART FROM PONTOON
    • Understands use of springs to depart from lee wall/pontoon
    • Communicate with crew
    • Position fenders correctly
  3. 360º TURN IN CONFINED SPACE
  4. SECURING TO BUOY
    • Communicate effectively with crew
    • Prepare Warp
    • Choose correct angle of approach
    • Control speed of approach
    • Secure boat effectively
    • Depart from mooring safely
  5. MAN OVERBOARD
    • Observe MOB or instruct crew to do so
    • Demonstrate correct direction and speed of approach
    • Make suitable contact with MOB
  6. HANDLING UNDER SAIL
    • Sail triangular course with one leg to windward
    • Choose suitable area for hoisting/lowering sails
    • Use sails suitable for prevailing conditions
    • Show awareness of wind direction
    • Trim sails correctly on each point of sailing
    • Warn crew before manoeuvres
    • Look round before tacking and gybing
    • Control sails during tacking and gybing
  7. COMING ALONGSIDE WINDWARD PONTOON
    • Communicate effectively with crew
    • Show awareness of other water users
    • Prepare warps/fenders
    • Choose correct angle of approach
    • Control speed of approach
    • Stop boat in place required and secure to pontoon
    • Stop engine