RYA Powerboat Courses

To see the school's certificate of recognition from the RYA for running powerboat courses click here

The RYA Powerboat Scheme exists for those who use small, open powerboats for sport, diving, water skiing, fishing or as a safety vessel for any other water-based activity.

The RYA Powerboat scheme is applicable to sportsboats, RIBs, dories, launches and other boats which do not provide accomodation or cooking facilities.

Powerboat courses can either be taken in your own boat, or in a Quicksilver 6.35 supplied by the Iberian Sea School from Lagos Marina as can be seen in the photograph below of Sueste III.

The first day of a Powerboat course takes place in The Iberian Sea School classroom at Olhos de Agua near Vilamoura.  To see a google map showing Olhos de Agua in the centre click here.

The minimum age for powerboat courses is 12, but the RYA would not recommend under 16s being left in charge of a powerboat without adult supervision. The youngest person that I have so far had on a Powerboat level 2 course was William aged 12 who can be seen to the left at the wheel of his father's boat during his course with me in August 2009.

In the photograph below and to the right he can be seen planning his passage to Portimão with me whilst alongside Lagos reception pontoon. Sadly the splendid umbrella sun shade was blown into the water while at anchor at Alvor, William dived into the water after it and swam back with it and it was unfortunately broken by me as I retrieved it from the water. The photographs were taken by William's father Michael, who very kindly emailed them to me.  William completed the ICC (coastal) course and is now the proud owner of a Powerboat level 2 (coastal) course completion certificate.

During this 3 day course on day 1 you will learn about navigation in the school's classroom near Vilamoura, there is a Raymarine C70 chart plotter in the classroom which clients can use for learning how to use a GPS chart plotter, we will have lunch provided by the school at a restaurant nearby. On day 2 you will make a coastal passage to Alvor where you will do the pilotage plan described in my article on Alvor and have lunch provided by the school at Casa do Rio restaurant and on day 3 we will undertake a 7 mile coastal passage to the Arade river where you will pilot the boat up to the railway bridge at Portimao and we will have lunch provided by the school at a restaurant called Barco. Navigation on the two practical days will involve a mixture of traditional techniques plus the use of a hand held GPS chart plotter.

The Iberian Sea School offers the following Powerboat Courses. I have a maximum of 3 people on these courses.

Level 1. A one day course providing a practical introduction to boat handling skills.

Level 2. (Inland) A two day course providing the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver.

Level 2. (Coastal) A three day course covering everything covered by level 2 (inland) plus a day of coastal passage making with a greater emphasis on the practical use of charts, understanding of chart symbols, buoyage systems, practical understanding of tides and tidal streams, use of steering and hand bearing compass, pilotage and passage planning and use of a hand held GPS chart plotter as well as tradition techniques for navigation.
Many Powerboat Schools offer this course over two days in the full knowledge that the majority of people with no previous experience will not complete the syllabus and will have to come back for another half day or day of tuition in order to complete the course.

 Powerboat courses on a boat supplied by the Iberian Sea School

Please note:  A Powerboat level 2 (Inland) course completion certificate is not accepted by the Marine Police as being acceptable as a 'licence' for skippering a boat in Portuguese coastal waters. HOWEVER a Powerboat level 2 (Coastal) certificate is acceptable, the 'Coastal' certificate can be obtained as a result of attending a 3 day course. Martin.

A two day Power Boat level 2 (Inland) course can be done by attending the first two days of any 3 day course.

The next 3 day Power Boat level 2 (coastal) courses on which I have spaces in 2012 are:

If none of the dates above are suitable for you please email me or telephone with the dates when you would like to do a course and providing your dates are at least two months ahead I can probably adjust my programme to fit you in.

For information on how to book a course go to 'Booking Information' on the menu (above left).