RYA Powerboat Level 2 COURSE & Syllabus

Below is what is covered on the RYA Level 2 Powerboat Course:

Power Boat Level 2

Section A Practical
Launching and recovery
Knowledge of:
* Use of a trailer or launching trolley
* Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions
* Number of persons required to launch/recover a powerboat, Construction, width and condition of slipway
* Steep/slippery slipways, beach launching, lee shores
* Care of trailer bearings, hitch, lashings, ties, lights and winch
* Trailer parking
Can:
* Prepare the powerboat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board

Powerboat handling
Knowledge of:
* Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE Plate and manufacturer’s recommendation for powerboats
* Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way
Understands:
* Crew members: minimum number in high-speed powerboats
* Awareness of other water users, including the effect of wash
* Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream
* High-speed manoeuvring: planing, trim tabs and power trim
* Planing powerboats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, high/low-speed handling, tiller/console steering
Can:
* Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stopping
* Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times
* Carry out low-speed manoeuvres including: turning in a confined area, the effect of wind on the bow and holding off. Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern
* Carry out high speed including S-turns and U-turns

Securing to a buoy
Understands:
* Preparation of mooring warp
* Use of a boat hook
* Method of approach
* Crew communication
* Making fast
* Procedure when overshooting
Can:
* Approach and secure to buoy

Anchoring
Understands:
* Method of approach in various conditions
* Taking way off
* Crew communication
* Check holding
* Depth of water, holding ground, and scope required
Knowledge of:
* Types of anchor
* Stowage and attachment to the boat
* Preparation of anchor, chain and warp
* Weighing anchor
Can:
* Approach and anchor correctly
* Weigh anchor correctly

Leaving and coming alongside
Understands:
* Preparation and use of painter, lines and fenders, attachment to the boat, stowage underway
* Speed and angle of approach
* Wind effect
* Method of approach in tidal stream or current
Can:
* Make fast alongside
* Use springs
* Leave – ahead or astern

Man overboard
Knowledge of:
* Recovery of man overboard using a powerboat
Can:
* Take immediate action
* Observe the man overboard
* Carry out the correct return with awareness of the propeller
* Approach and recover the man in the water

Section B Theory
Knowledge of:
* Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea-keeping ability
* Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin screws, choice and use of fuels
* Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers
* Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis
* Close down procedure
* Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters
* Use and limitations of GPS
* Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
* Sources of weather information
Understands:
* Awareness of other water users
* Communication with other craft – hand and sound signals
* Disabled craft
* Emergency action, preventing sinking
* Adrift – alternative means of propulsion
* Towing and being towed
* Fire precautions and fire fighting
* Distress signals and the Mayday call
Can:
* Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5, 7, 8, 9, and 12-19

Section C Coastal
Knowledge of:
* Pilotage and passage planning
* CG66 Small Craft Safety Scheme
Understands:
* Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
* Tides and tidal streams
Can:
* Use steering and hand-bearing compasses
* Apply Section A on coastal waters