Powerboating
Westminster Boating Base is a Royal Yachting Association approved centre offering RYA Powerboating Levels 1, 2 and Safety Boat Certificates and the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) with CEVNI (Code Europeen des Voies de Navigation Interieure) endorsement. The CEVNI is a required endorsement for anyone using their boat on inland European waterways.
The following information applies to both
youths and adults. All courses are run in our own powerboats. Certificates
will be endorsed for planing craft. All our courses take place at our
centre on the tidal Thames which allows us to issue a coastal endorsement
on your certificate.
RYA LEVELS 1 & 2 NATIONAL
POWERBOAT CERTIFICATE
This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed
to drive a powerboat and is the basis of the International Certificate
of Competence. It includes Close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres,
man overboard recovery and collision regulations.
There are no pre-requisites for this course other than our minimum age of 10 yrs.
Cost: £300 for a 2 day course. Courses run 10am-6pm each day with a break for lunch.
2010 Course Dates:
April 11 & 18
April 24 & 25
May 1 & 2
May 9 & 16
May 22 & 23
May 29 & 30
June 26 & 27
July 3 & 4
31st July & 1st August (new addition due to demand)
September 25 & 26
October 2 & 3
October 9 & 10
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INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF
COMPETENCE (ICC) (pleasure craft)
ELIGIBILITY: This certificate is available only to British citizens and
bona fide British Residents over the age of 16. Evidence of residency
for non-citizens will be required in the form of a driving licence, utility
bill, Council Tax bill or bank statement, etc.
Across Europe, the ICC is acceptable for British Citizens or residents using a British flagged vessel for leisure. Other countries may accept the ICC for their native flagged vessels, eg. if you were to rent a boat in Europe. This ICC will allow the holder to drive powerboats up to 10 metres in length.
If you hold an RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate you can convert directly with the RYA, otherwise you will need to attend an ICC course or if you are an experienced powerboat driver you can undergo a one-day assessment of your abilities by arrangement with us. For those that have significant experience in driving boats and a thorough knowledge of navigation, a pass can usually be achieved in one day.
Cost: A one day direct assessment for experienced helms can be made on a one-to-one basis for £250.
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CEVNI (CODE EUROPEEN DES VOIES
DE NAVIGATION INTERIEURE) TEST:
This enables legal navigation of inland waterways in many European countries
and tests your knowledge of signs, lights and symbols that are commonly
used. For those who are undertaking an ICC course or undertaking a one-day
assessment, this is included. For those wishing to upgrade their existing
ICC certificate to include inland waterways, a charge of £10.00
is applicable.
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RYA SAFETY BOAT CERTIFICATE
This certificate is a requirement of the RYA Senior Instructor award.
A prerequisite of this course is to hold the Level 2 certificate.
The aim is to introduce the techniques used in powerboats escorting racing
fleets of dinghies, windsurfers and canoes; providing safety and rescue
cover for training fleets; and assisting in race management.
Due to unpredictable weather conditions, there may be little or no need to undertake an actual rescue and simulating this is difficult. You can learn the theory but it is another matter doing it for real! Those wishing to offer their services on a voluntary basis by crewing our safety boats on actual sessions will get the chance to log many hours of driving and gain first-hand experience of how to manage fleet safety and assist troubled sailors and kayakers. You will not be charged for this!
Contact us for details of ideal times to attend.
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Are you a Powerboat Instructor?
If you are a qualified Powerboat Instructor and are interested in supporting us with running any of the courses above, please contact us to send us your details and/or CV.
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