Boat Handling Courses
Please contact us initially to select and confirm a suitable date for your course. Following confirmation please complete the booking form together with the relevant fee to secure your course.
Available Courses
Taster Days (School Boat)
Perhaps you are considering buying a boat, just want to experience a day out on the Thames or feel that you are not ready to take a structured course.
This day long course is designed to give you a taste of life on the river and the basics of operating a motor cruiser. The day will be spent cruising the river. Tea and coffee will be supplied, please bring a packed lunch. Students will be welcome to steer the boat and to learn basic boat work.
| No. of People |
Cost (per person) |
| 2 persons |
£75 each |
| 3 persons |
£60 each |
| 4 persons |
£55 each |
RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s Course
This is the Royal Yachting Associations course for those either beginning their inland boating journey or for those who have some experience and wish to expand their knowledge base and or brush up on their skills.
All aspects of inland boating is covered including boat safety, basic engine knowledge, coming alongside and securing the boat and taking the boat through a lock safely and efficiently. Please see the full syllabus below.
You may be considering buying your first boat or you may have recently bought a boat and wish to increase your skills and confidence to increase your enjoyment. Alternatively you may be taking your holiday on a hire boat and wish to 'learn the ropes'.
The course can either be one or two days depending on level of experience. You may wish to take the course on the school boat at Wargrave or alternatively we will travel to your mooring and deliver the course on your own boat.
Upon successful completion of the course the student will receive the appropriate RYA certificate.
Please contact us either by phone or E mail to discuss your needs ands to arrange a suitable date.
This course is designed to give students confidence to helm a vessel safely on Inland Waterways.
- Duration 1 or 2 days
- Taught at RYA Inland Training Centres although Regional Training team can offer own boat tuition.
- Assumed knowledge before course: Nil
- Certificate Issued: RYA Inland waters Helmsman’s Certificate
Deckwork
- Common nautical terms
- Handling warps and fenders
- Throwing a heaving line or coiled rope,
- Knots: clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, bowline,
- Securing to bollards, rings and cleats and mooring stakes,
- Anchor work.
Helmsmanship and Boat Handling
- Loading and weight distribution
- Steering in a river or canal
- Control of speed
- Inter-action and canal effect
- Turning
- Berthing and unberthing alongside and between buoys/piles
- Recovery of man overboard
- Anchoring
Personal Safety
- Identification of risks, including cold shock.
- Use of lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
- Avoidance of personal injury, including crushing of limbs when fending off.
- Special risks to children.
Boat Safety
- Fire Hazards, particularly gas and petrol
- Use of fire extinguishers.
- Watertight integrity
- Refloating after grounding.
Engines
- Engine care. Checks to be carried out before starting and while running.
- Routine periodic checks.
Locks
- General understanding of maintenance of levels.
- Operation of locks.
- Tending lines in locks.
Bridges and Tunnels
- General understanding of operation of bridges and use of tunnels.
Collision Avoidance
- Steering and sailing rules of IRPCS.
- Bye-laws and local regulations, including traffic signals, signs and priorities.
- Awareness of other national and local regulations.
- Publications to be carried.
Care of Environment
- Avoiding damage to boats, banks, flora and fauna.
- Pollution avoidance.
- Consideration for other water users.
Fees
| Students |
Own boat per day |
School boat per day |
| 1 |
£145.00 |
£145.00 |
| 2 |
£100.00 each (£200.00 total) |
£145.00 each |
| 3 |
£80.00 each (£240.00 total) |
£145.00 each |
The above prices include the RYA Inland Waterways Handbook
The school reserves the right to run the course on the school boat with a maximum of three students. However we will not cancel or reschedule a course if this number is not reached.
International Certificate of Competence and CEVNI Test Paper
Boaters wishing to navigate the European inland waterways system will require an International Certificate of Competence (or ICC). To obtain this the candidate must either present a qualifying RYA practical course completion certificate or pass an RYA practical test at a recognised RYA Training Centre.
In addition candidates are also required to pass the CEVNI test. (CEVNI standing for Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure). In short it is the code governing navigation on the interconnected European inland waterways and is the basis of the various countries' own regulations.
MTBHS offer both of the above. The practical test being available either on the School cruiser or on your own boat at its mooring.
Fees
| ICC Practical Test | CEVNI Test |
|---|
| Student's Own Boat |
School Boat |
| £125 per candidate |
£145 per candidate |
£25 per candidate |
Bespoke Courses
You may feel that you could benefit from additional instruction in a particular aspect and need to brush up a particular skill. Whether it be leaving or entering the mooring, coming alongside, lock work or any particular aspect. Instruction can be tailored to meet your needs. Half days are available.
Please contact for quote.
Boat Delivery
You may have taken delivery of a new boat which may be some distance from its mooring. We provide a service where we can either deliver the boat for you or accompany you offering guidance and instruction, helping confidence and enjoyment of your new boat.
Please contact for quote.