RYA Powerboat Advanced

The RYA Powerboat Advanced course focuses on advanced navigation, pilotage, and boat-handling skills in coastal waters by day and night, often in challenging weather and sea conditions. It is designed for experienced powerboaters who wish to operate competently in more complex and demanding scenarios. 

The course builds upon skills acquired through Powerboat Handling course, but requires experience at sea and the knowledge of the navigation and chartwork to the level of Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore.

Successful completion of the course results in an RYA certificate of completion; however, a separate exam is required to obtain the Certificate of Competence for commercial use. PLEASE NOTE: Exam fees will apply. 

What you need to know

The RYA Powerboat Advanced qualification is a progressive certification  

1. Course Completion Certificate

Awarded after completing a 2-day training course (including one night navigation exercise).

• ✔ Practical training only
• ❌ Cannot be commercially endorsed

2. Certificate of Competence (CoC)

Awarded after passing a practical exam assessed by an independent RYA/MCA examiner.

• ✔ Required for commercial endorsement

• ✔ Valid for work on boats up to 24m in Categories 3–6 (up to 20 miles from a safe haven)

Note: You must hold the CoC to apply for a commercial endorsement.

• Location: Golfe-Juan
• Classroom address: 405 Chemin du Gaz Golfe-Juan - Vallauris 
• Booking: full course fee or at least 50% deposit  
• PLEASE NOTE the exam fee of €280 is not included in the course fee

Pre-requisites

The Course completion Certificate pre-requisites

Min 17 years old

Competency to the PB2 Powerboat certificate; knowledge of the navigation and chartwork to the level of Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased certificate

VHF certificate (strongly recommended)

First Aid certificate (strongly recommended) 

The Exam Pre-Requisites

If you're pursuing the CoC (needed for commercial work), you’ll need:

·        Valid VHF/SRC certificate

      Valid First Aid certificate (RYA or STCW accepted)

Minimum seatime: 30 days at sea, 2 days as skipper, 800 sea miles and 12 night hours

PLEASE NOTE an exam fee of €280 will apply

About the course

The RYA Advanced Powerboat course is a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical training, focusing on real-world scenarios. The course content covers:

1. Advanced Navigation and Pilotage

• Planning and executing coastal and offshore passages.
• Use of traditional navigation (charts, compass) and electronic aids (GPS, radar, AIS).
• Navigating in reduced visibility (fog, darkness).
• Pilotage techniques in confined or complex areas.

2. Boat Handling

• High-speed maneuvers in challenging conditions.
• Precise control in adverse weather (e.g., rough seas, strong winds).
• Close-quarters handling and docking under pressure.

3. Safety Procedures

• Risk assessment and decision-making in demanding situations.
• Emergency response techniques (man-overboard recovery, engine failure).
• Use of safety equipment and life-saving appliances.
• Understanding vessel stability in rough seas.

4. Night Operations

• Navigation and pilotage during nighttime conditions.
• Understanding and using navigation lights and signals.
• Managing crew and passengers in low-visibility scenarios.

5. Weather and Sea State

• Advanced weather forecasting and its impact on passage planning.
• Operating in tidal waters, heavy seas, and strong currents.

Assessment and certification

The course completion certificate is a continuous assessment, and successful completion earns candidates the RYA Advanced Powerboat Course Completion Certificate. For successful completion of the course, candidates should be able to plan and execute coastal trips and return to a familiar port by night. 

For the Certificate of Competency, the exam tests your ability to plan and execute coastal passages by day and night, including navigation, boat handling, safety procedures, and decision-making under pressure. It typically lasts 4 to 7 hours depending on the number of candidates. Exam Fees will apply.

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at:

1. Experienced powerboat handlers looking to enhance their skills.
2. Professional yachties working in roles such as rescue services, commercial operations, or superyachts.
3. Skippers who operate chaseboats or powerboats in open waters or at night.
4. Recreational boaters who want to safely venture into unfamiliar waters or more exposed conditions.

It’s ideal for anyone who requires the confidence to handle a powerboat in challenging conditions and complete night passages with precision.

Progression to Commercial Qualification

The RYA Advanced Powerboat Course is an excellent foundation for those aiming to achieve the RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence (CoC), required for commercial work. The course completion certificate confirms your training but does not qualify you for commercial use. To obtain the CoC, candidates must complete a separate exam after gaining the necessary seatime and pre-requisites, see here.

For further information on the Advanced Power Boat Exam please enquire directly with our office.

IMPORTANT: This course will only run with a minimum of 3 candidates