Powerboat Level 2 Syllabus
Section A: Practical
1. Launch and Recovery
Knowledge Of:
Knowledge Of:
Understands:
Knowledge Of:
Understands:
Knowledge Of:
Section B: Theory
Knowledge Of:
Section C: Coastal
Knowledge Of:
1. Launch and Recovery
Knowledge Of:
- Use of a trailer or launching trolley.
- Considerations of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions.
- Number of persons required to launch / recover.
- Construction, width and condition of ramp / slipway.
- Care of trailer bearings, hitch, lashings, ties, lights and winch.
- Trailer parking
- Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board.
- Prepare to go afloat.
- Tie relevant knots.
Knowledge Of:
- Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE Plate and manufacturer's recommendation.
- Handling characteristics of displacement boats, rudder-steered craft and shaft driven vessels.
- Crew members: minimum number in faster craft, keeping a look out.
- The importance of boat control in waves and adequate seating to minimise the possibility of injury.
- Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash.
- Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream.
- Handling a boat at planing speed, trim tabs and power trim.
- Planing boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, planing and displacement speed handling, tiller / console steering.
- Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stopping.
- Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length killcord at all times.
- Carry out low speed manoeuvres including: turning in a confined area, effect of wind on bow and holding off. Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern
- Handle a boat at planing speed.
Understands:
- Preparation of mooring warp.
- Use of a boat hook.
- Direction of approach.
- Taking way off.
- Crew communication.
- Making fast.
- Procedure when overshooting.
- Approach and secure to buoy.
Knowledge Of:
- Types of anchor.
- Stowage and attachment to boat.
- Preparation of anchor, chain and warp.
- Weighing anchor.
- Correct approach in various conditions.
- Taking way off.
- Crew communication.
- Check holding.
- Depth of water, holding ground, scope required.
- Approach and anchor correctly.
- Weigh anchor correctly.
Understands:
- Preparation and use of lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way.
- Speed and angle of approach.
- Wind effect.
- Method of approach in tidal stream or current.
- Make fast alongside.
- Use springs.
- Leave - ahead or astern.
Knowledge Of:
- Recovery of man overboard.
- Cold shock and immersion hypothermia.
- How and when to raise the alarm.
- Take immediate action.
- Observe the man overboard.
- Carry out the correct return with awareness of propeller.
- Approach and recover the 'man' in the water. (Small weighted buoy to be used)
- Demonstrate both drift down and into wind. approach method.
- Switch off engine.
Section B: Theory
Knowledge Of:
- Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea-keeping ability.
- Seating arrangements.
- Stepped hulls.
- Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin-shaft drive, choice and use of fuels.
- Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers.
- Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis.
- Close down procedure.
- Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters.
- Use and limitations of GPS / chart plotters.
- Application of local bylaws, especially around commercial shipping.
- Sources of weather information.
- Awareness of other water users.
- Communication with other craft.
- Disabled craft.
- Emergency action, preventing sinking.
- Adrift - alternative means of propulsion.
- Actions to be taken by a disabled craft and being towed.
- Fire precautions and fire fighting.
- Distress signals, means of issuing distress, DSC and the Mayday call.
- Advice for vessels in restricted visibility.
- Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12-18
Section C: Coastal
Knowledge Of:
- Byelaws and local regulations.
- Insurance.
- Boat registration schemes.
- Pilotage and passage planning.
- Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems.
- Tides and tidal streams.
- Use steering and hand bearing compasses
- Apply Section A on coastal waters.