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Where we lead, others follow
HomeCoursesServicesSpecial RequirementsVenuesClientsInstructorFrequently Asked QuestionsCompany / Contact
Below are some frequently asked questinos about Trent Boat Handling. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us
The church on Rise Park,Revelstoke Way, Rise Park, Nottingham,NG5 5EB.
£60 which includes my tuition, the RYA course book, tea and coffee including biscuits. If you are sucessful you will pay a further £22 to the RYA for your life licence. Don`t forget your ships radio licence is now free if you apply or renew on line.
No, just turn up with enthusiasm on the day. I suggest an early night, the day before. This course is busy and you need to be fresh. You are assessed during the day and have to sit a written exam, so come ready to learn.If you come with a hangover, you may struggle to pass the course.
I only use real Marine VHF DSC radios, NOT the radio simulators also used by schools.A pair of radios are linked and throughout the day one person will team up with another operator on the linked radio to get to grips with using the radios in lots of exercises. Would you learn to drive a car in a simulator,NO. So why would you learn to operate a radio on a computer. simulation
No. You will find a VHF radio of no use on a canal, with the exception of the larger canals like the Manchester Ship Canal. VHF is now mandatory for Vessels over 45 feet travelling independantly on the River Thames. So far the radios are not legally needed on pleasure craft anywhere else in the country. However all the official bodies recommend that you have one available on any sizeable river, like the Trent and the estuaries like the Humber. It is a safety device and also a convenience, but primarily for safety. A mobile phone is no substitute. You cannot instantly talk to those who matter, unless it is by radio. I talk of HM Coastguard, Lifeboats, lock keepers, Vehicle Traffic Services, SAR Helicopters and a blanket call to all other radios in range, like a mayday or other call for help on a river.
It is very handy to fit one, all the major locks and bridges are contactable in English particularly on the major waterways. They even have signs telling you which channel to use. NEWS. The answer is now yes. All vessels over 20m including pleasure vessels need 2 radios one of which is fitted with the ATIS system.Both radios can be portables, but one of those must be ATIS. From 1st Jan 2009 pleasure vessels from 7m to 20m will have to be so equipped.There is also likely to be a small extra course t become qualified in ATIS. Extract from RYA Mag Summer 2007.
ATIS stands for Automatic Transmitter Identification System, this type of radio will have to be carried by vessels in Europe, see question on do I need a radio in Europe.
The RYA course is from 9am to 5pm. That is laid down by the Coastguard and the RYA who administer this course insist on this.If you are offered a course that lasts much short of this, be warned, you are not getting what is required.
I am allowed to have up to 12 persons on the course. I generally like about half that number, so my clients get twice the supervision over some other courses. With only six persons, though ocassionaly I allow a couple to share a radio, you are also getting lots of hands on practice as I exceed threefold the minimum number of practice radios that the RYA recommend as a minimum. All schools have to have at least 1 pair of rados to get some voice practice. I have three pairs.
Yes. If you so wish you can have a course all to your self or with similarly challenged clients. Individual courses of course will cost you more money than the standard £60. The course will be altered to suit your capabilities. The exam will be conducted orally(by voice) and you will not be asked to read anything during the course. The course will last a bit beyond the normal 5pm, unless of course you are alone on the course or there are very few candidates.
Yes. You do need to be able to focus on a small screen on the front of the radio. This course is not available for the totally unsighted. However I am very willing to teach voice proceedures to the unsighted, but there will not be the Certificate available at the end of the course.
I have had fresh water and salt water sailors, River and Estuary. Plumbers,Supertanker captains,vicars,housewwives,airline pilots,commercials skippers,sea kayakers,divers,professors and nurses, narrowboaters, masted ships and twin engine boats. Scottish explorers, and ex Royal Navy, current Merchant Navy.Big companies and little compamies. I think you get the picture. They all enjoyed the course.
Yes. You can study the books. Practice formulating and sending a range of messages and come to an instructor for the exam. Cost currently (16.1.2008) is full examination £65 and conversion exam( if you already have the older style licence) £40. I would emphasize that you will only be examined and not taught on these exams.
No. You may come on course to study just the digital aspects of the SRC/GMDSS licence. This course is 3 hours long.
You learn to keep safe on the waterways, this includes your family and other users.The list of practical skills includes. Personal safety and equipment. A huge subject in itself. Manoeuvering the boat on River and Canal.Lots here as well. Locks Boating regulations Dealing with emergencies How boats work, why do they do certain things Planning to stay safe. Canal etiquette and the behaviour of others Discussions on recent accidents on the inland waterways We also address any particular nightmares or concerns that you may have regards boating. Knots and hitches, the best to use Waterway communications You will also learn to ENJOY! Looking after the environment How boats
If you have reasonable experience and a good knowledge base the course can be done in 1 day. On the other hand, if you are a novice, I recommend a 2 day course. My courses are tailored to your needs. If you are good at canals but lack river experience, perhaps a 1 day course. The bottom line is this, if your course is conducted by a ccompany who only have access to a canal, and if you are a good student, then the course may only taake 1 day. On the other hand, if your training company have access to both river and canal, it will probably take 2 days for the novice, but as you can see, the level of knowledge and experience will be a lot higher for your 2 days than a 1 day pure canal course. Discuss with me and I will guide you on the best course, location and value for your particular needs
Generally no problem. This could be a person who may have driven you to the course or someone for company, whatever.
No, if we did this in this country, we would have to be cancelling courses every day, and the instructor and his family would starve. However we will cancell for high river levels where a strong stream warning has been issued by the authorities. Its great out when it is snowing, however, obviously we need to take safety into consideration,so normally we go, rain or shine. Ice can be a problem, when the canal is frozen, but not in a whiskey. Please though come equipped for hot or cold, wet or sunny conditions.
Yes. The boat must however meet some basic standard of reliability and equipment.For instance if the course involves river work an anchor must be fitted to the craft, it must be of the correct size and be attached to sufficient chain and rope for the river in question. The craft must have an engine that is reliable, ie it dosnt keep stopping or is a poor starter. The gears must engage properly both ahead and astern. A life ring and life jackets must be available for the course. If a child is carries, its lifejacket must be of the correct size. Fuel sufficient for the course and a means to wash hands. In winter, some form of heating may be required for comfort. Please also ensure that your craft is insured and licenced for its use on the appropriate waterway and usually a boat safety certificate is issued.
Bring a light lunch, which I prefer so that we can stay aboard the craft or if you prefer it is quite possible that a riparian hostelry called a pub or cafe will be available for your needs.
Whoever has misled you to think this, needs keel hauling.Though I am not saying that it is too difficult to master.Please dont come on the course thinking that its going to be simple cos you can drive a car. It is not like driving a car! the nearest I can suggest is that it is not disimilar to driving a fork lift truck with rear wheel steering on ice, where the slightest amount of wind will move the vehicle against your will.
Please expect that during your boating experience you will bump at some point. How often depends on your skill, the use of fenders and the skill of the other boaters. Wind, current, fatigue, stress, narrow spaces, poor planning, equipment failure and perhaps, but I hope not......alcohol, will also conspire against you to give you that impact experience. Do a course and negate most of the above.
