Basic Boat Handling Course

A one or two day course aimed at those who are new to boat handling or for those who have little experience on the waterways.

The course aims to build confidence by concentrating on the basics of boat handling and is predominantly practical.

It is recommended that those with no experience of boating take a two day course, as there is a lot of basic knowledge to impart and to achieve this over one day, makes for a very busy and sometimes tiring day. It may be possible for you to take the course over two consecutive days or split the course.

Training

The following are covered practically and theoretically.

Boat Preparation

Planning the day
Checking the craft is ready: fuel, water, gas, engine, gearbox and shaft sealing
Preparing the craft
Personal safety equipment

Manoeuvring the Craft

Leaving the wall, jetty or mooring
Coming alongside a wall, jetty or mooring
Turning the craft in a river or canal
Appreciation of the effects of flows, eddies and currents
Appreciation of the effects of wind
The effects of rudder and propeller
Steering forwards and backwards
Precise positioning of craft
Craft interaction with other craft (including overtaking and passing)
Crew interaction with other users
Anchoring theory and practice
Choosing where to tie up or moor
Crew and passenger safety
Working as a team/family
Dealing with accidents (including man overboard, water ingress and fire on board)
Working of locks
Using sound signals
Navigation lights and symbols
Basic understanding of canal and river bye laws
Basic understanding of collision regulations
Environmental issues
Communications on the river and canal
Using ropes to secure the craft
Using ropes to manoeuvre the craft
Dealing with bridges, bends and tunnels

Basic Boat Handling Course Summary

Duration	Venue	Boat Type	Prices (per person/day)
1 or 2 Days	River or Canal	Single or Twin Engine Your Boat or Ours	People	Your Boat	Our Boat
			1	£135	£215
			2	£75	£115
			3	£70	£96

There may also be a charge for travelling depending on your location

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