RYA Powerboating courses, lessons and experiences in central London
Do you want to learn to drive a speed boat? Want to gain the motor boat driving licence (ICC)?
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 a boat on inland European waterways.
The following information applies to both young people and adults. All courses are run in our own powerboats which are ex-army assault craft. Certificates will be endorsed for planing craft. All our courses take place at our centre on the tidal Thames in London which allows us to issue a coastal endorsement on your certificate.
Powerboat Experience
1hr duration
1:1 with a qualified instructor
Learn to drive a high-speed ex-army assault boat on the river Thames,
passing many of the iconic sights of central London, including driving
past Parliament & the London Eye and more!
only £49
Time and dates flexible by arrangement.
Gift certificates available
RYA LEVELS 1 AND 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. Certificate can be directly converted to an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) - just let us know when you book that you would also like the ICC (applying for the ICC incurs an administration fee payable to the RYA).
Cost: £320 for a 2 day course. Courses run 10am-6pm each day with a break for lunch.
2012 course dates:
March 3, 4
April 14,15
May 5, 6
May 12, 13
May 26, 27
June 23, 24
June 30, July 1st
July 7, 8
July 14, 15
July 21, 22
Aug 11, 12
How to book: Complete a Course Application form and return with payment to Westminster Boating Base, 136 Grosvenor Road, London, SW1V 3JY. Please make cheques payable to "Westminster Boating Base". Once received, your place will be confirmed and you will be sent a pre-course pack.
Please note your place is not confirmed until payment has been received.
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INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) (pleasure craft)
This is often thought of as the driving license for boats.
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 (RYA Powerboat Level 2 inc. the paperwork needed for the ICC). 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 (plus administration fee payable to the RYA for the ICC certificate). For a full course see RYA Level 2 National Powerboat Certificate above.
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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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This certificate is a requirement of the RYA Senior Instructor award.
A prerequisite of the RYA Safety Boat course is to hold the RYA Level
2 powerboat 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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